The children are home for the long holiday and this is usually the period where safety incidents spike. Here are a few tips to help you protect them:
1) Educate the child
Teach them how to stay safe in different situations from play to falls to preventing molestation and abduction

2) Ask about their day
Talking through occurrences in their day can help you find out possible problem areas and teach them how to act

3) Be alert
Try not to get too preoccupied when they are playing at home. If you get busy, appoint someone to take charge. Being alert helps you stop “rough play” that could lead to injury. This also works when you’re travelling with them to avoid things like the recent incident of a child found in the luggage carousel at the airport

4) Ask for help
Simply because you cannot do it all by yourself and there will be times you get distracted. You do not want something to go wrong just because you turned away for a few seconds

5) Keep them engaged
Get them involved in meaningful activities and projects, it reduces idle time available for “rough play”

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Holidays tend to have higher statistics for injuries and accidents. From shopping to cooking to travelling, holiday activities can pose real dangers, especially if people are distracted by all the cheer. Some of the most common safety incidents during the holidays are:

Electrocution: Many of us would be bringing back Christmas lights used last year. Plesse check that there are no exposed wires or frayed edges to avoid electrocution. Also, get professionals to sort out your electrical tasks this period to be safe

Burn injuries: With holidays come lots of outdoor cooking in this part of the world most especially in villages. Considering the Harmattan, it is important to take proper precautions so that open flames do not lead to burn injuries.

Choking: Many young children will get action figures, dolls, and other toys with moveable parts for their holiday gifts. Without close supervision, a curious child may attempt to eat small bits of their toys and choke. Whenever you buy a present for your child, or accept one from a family friend, review the instructions and packages to ensure there are no dangerous choking hazards.

Air borne diseases: Usually around this time of the year flu cases are on the rise. Encourage good hygiene and hand washing.

Car accidents: The Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) possesses data that indicates a rise in car accidents around the holidays. Contributing factors to the increase in collisions include an influx of drivers visiting family in other cities, intoxicated drivers leaving festive events, and inclement weather creating dangerous driving conditions. Avoid overspeeding and taking excess alcohol

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During this time of the year, there is more travel by air and by road for various reasons. With travel comes attendant risks therefore it is important to plan ahead to ensure your safety and security. Here are 5 things to consider:

Vehicle condition
If travelling by road, it’s important to ensure proper checks on the vehicle to ensure it is in good working order. Remember, before an accident occurs there must have been a chain of errors. So, play your part by checking the vehicle is in good form. Where there are irregularities, fix it. Also ensure you have accurate documentation and the right tools in case of routine checks on the highway.

Security of your destination
Now, this is important as some holiday destinations are prone to insecurity than others. Therefore, do your research and plan to blend in. Avoid unnecessary display of cash and jewellery in public spaces. Don’t make yourself an obvious target. If travelling with kids, ensure they know your name and phone number. Keep your eye on them as they are easy targets for predators. Know and obey the laws at your destination. Ignorance is not an excuse.

Security of your home
In the past, many people have travelled only to return home and see they’ve been victims of theft. Therefore, before you travel, you need to ensure that you have plans in place to keep your home secure. Leave some external security lights on so that the home doesn’t look deserted or empty. Activate home alarms, if you have them. Ensure doors and windows are properly shut.

Choosing travel time
As much as possible avoid late night driving or flying. There are lots of uncertainities in travel so it’s to your advantage to set out early. Doing this ensures that no matter the situation on the roads (remember you’re not the only one travelling) or at the various airports you’d still get to your destination earlier than someone who set out late. This is particularly important for those travelling to states without airports who would be connecting from states with airports. During this time of the year, Harmattan haze could lead to flight delays and a ripple effect on other flights. Consider this when planning to avoid getting to your destination too late.

Food and drink
This is a major concern during holidays because of the tendency for poisoning and trying out foods not compatible with one’s body. Exercise caution when trying new foods. Do not leave food or drink unattended to avoid poisoning or being drugged. Avoid mixing drinks. If you’re not sure of the type of food at your destination and your tolerance for it, make alternative arrangement with things you like to eat.