How to stay alive and safe in holiday season

Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo said his officers are under instructions to prevent terror attacks and other crime.

Police surveillance at shopping malls to prevent attacks is one of the measures taken to ensure security during the holidays.Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo said all officers, who are on leave have been ordered to return to work until after the New Year.“No police officer is on leave during Christmas and the entire festive period. We have enhanced patrols and particular beats have been assigned to ensure all hotspots are covered. The vital installations will also be secured round the clock,” he said.

The police boss said his officers are under instructions to prevent terror attacks and other crime.Mr Kimaiyo added that the law enforcers would rely on the public in preventing crime and urged Kenyans to volunteer information on anything suspicious to police.He said: “I urge the public to share information and it will be acted on immediately. This will help in responding to incidents promptly and also in pre-empting them.”

Besides increasing the number of uniformed officers on patrol, the police boss said many others would be deployed undercover on the streets, churches and other public places like shopping malls.The police also want business owners to step up security at their premises. According to Mr Kimaiyo, this should include frisking customers before allowing them into their shops to make sure no arms or explosives are sneaked in.

PSVs

Public service vehicle operators were also instructed to inspect luggage and conduct body searches on passengers. Vehicles on upcountry routes are also be required to pass by police stations for inspection.

Mr Kimaiyo also instructed the traffic department to enforce all laws and regulations. “They are under firm instructions on enforcing the Traffic Code and other regulations gazetted by the Cabinet secretary,” he added.Transport Secretary Michael Kamau ordered that long distance PSVs should have two drivers per trip. “This will protect drivers from fatigue. No driver should work for more than eight hours without getting rest. This will prevent road accidents because many of them are caused by lack of concentration by drivers due to tiredness,” said Mr Kimaiyo.

While promising to act on information given to police he said: “Any information on suspicious characters will be treated with confidence. We are managing the entire security situation depending on information given.”

Motoring expert and DN2 columnist Baraza JM outlined key areas in road safety.“The driver should be well-qualified and in good health. Rest is vital, as is eyesight, mindset and sense of judgment. The most sensitive areas concerning motor vehicle safety are the tyres, suspension and brakes. Generally, the vehicle should be roadworthy,” he said.

Five things you need to do to stay alive on the road

Tens of people are killed and many more badly injured in the holiday season. Here are five things to keep in mind to get there in safety and comfort:

1. Slow down. The faster you are going, the less your ability to retain control of your vehicle in an emergency. Remember there are designated speed limits. Generally, do not go beyond 80Kph unless you are an ambulance driver. You could cause an accident, and if you survive, there are heavy penalties.

2. If you have been drinking, don’t drive. Cemeteries are full of drunks who thought that they were very good drivers, or that a few beers “improve” their driving skills or that “the car knows its way home”. Alcohol impairs judgment and completely degrades the ability to operate a motor vehicle. Besides, police will be out in force, armed with Alcoblow, hunting for drunk drivers.

3. Are you licensed driver? It takes training to drive safely and legally. If you are under-age or are not licensed, don’t get behind the wheel. It’s illegal and dangerous. Besides, if you are not licensed, then you are not insured. In case of an accident, compensation awards by the courts, often running in the millions, will destroy the finances of any family.

4. If it’s a junk, don’t step in. Those seatbelts, indicators, oil levels, lighting system and legal and insurance documents should be in order. The police will be looking for clientele in this area too. A vehicle which is not roadworthy, either because the tires are bald or the brakes funny, is a death trap.

5. Plan ahead. At Christmas, fares will definitely be up and roads could be jammed. The idea is to be early to catch a seat on the bus. If you are driving, being early means you avoid traffic.

But plan ahead to ensure there are alternative routes, designated drivers and the number of passengers or luggage size you are carrying. For once, leave nothing to chance.

Five things to do to stay safe during the holidays

Many Kenyans fall victim to burglary, muggings and robbery during the holidays. Religious holidays also hold a lot of significance to religious fanatics. It is therefore not unusual for terrorists, such as Al-Shabaab to try and attack during religious festivals and Christmas festivities when there are masses of people together. To reduce the risk, here are five things to consider:

1. Secure your home before you leave for the holidays. Make sure you have secure doors and windows and that they are locked before you leave. Generally, it is wise to ask someone to keep watch while you are away. Do not leave valuables, such as cash or jewellery at home. Invest in strong padlocks and locks and make sure that not everyone has access to the keys.

2. If you see anything suspicious, call 999 or 112 immediately. Your action could prevent a serious crime, such as a terrorist attack. If the officers who take your call are not cooperative, insist that they take your report seriously.

3. Owners of premises must ensure that every person who enters their areas of business are subjected to a thorough search by a guard who is professionally qualified for the job. The public must also insist that everyone be searched, without exception. All passengers and their luggage must be checked as well. Long distance vehicles must go through a police station for security vetting.

4. At all times, use your head. Be alert, take an interest in the people around you, take the trouble to know the danger areas and be careful to avoid such areas. For example, you will want to stay away deserted and unlit areas at night. You will also be careful at sensitive areas such as ATMs. Simple security measures such as keeping your window up, particularly when you have electronics in the car, could save you a lot of trouble.

5. If you are hosting people in your home, their safety is your responsibility and priority. Make sure you have First Aid Kit. Sharp objects such as knives, nails, swords or pangas should locked away where they can’t cause accidents. To avoid food poisons, make sure you know what combination of foods to avoid.  For example, taking lemon juice and shortly thereafter, milk tea, or bean stew and soda are likely to result in discomfort.

Adapted from: http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Security-beefed-up-at-shopping-malls/-/1056/2122488/-/jxyb6c/-/index.html