The yuletide season is filled with a flurry of emotions and loads of expectations. It’s also an intense mix of events; the good, the bad and really ugly events that often leave really bad scars in the hearts of some. Accidents, robberies, illnesses, dreadful incidents, mistakes and more. So, while you make plans and preparations for the Christmas, set up budgets and anticipate the best of celebrations, you might want to read through for seven simple ways to save your life:
1. Do not keep late nights
This is a season filled with a lot of night activities; Church programs, vigils, night parties and more. Robberies, kidnapping and killings are usually on the rise, mostly at night. So you should probably consider enjoying a cool night sleep at home rather than risk your life walking at night. For important night events you wouldn’t want to miss, you can leave as early as when the day is still bright to avoid stories that touch the heart. And in a case where it’s already dark but you don’t want to miss a night occasion, opt for number two below.
2. Walk with company if you have to walk at night
The risk of being attacked is low when you’re two or more walking together, although number one remains the best option. The larger the number, the safer.
3. Avoid lonely roads
Such roads as subways, alleys, the woods are usually the den of gangsters. Avoiding such roads especially at night would save your life for sure.
4. Leave valuables behind when going for night events
Personal properties with a lot of value like phones, laptops, wristwatches, cash should be left at home, not carried about at night. I’m sure I don’t need to go on and on about the risk you stand of losing them. You might not be risking your life but you definitely would be risking your peace of mind and mental well-being.
5. Keep your emergency code in mind
This has been saving lives since 1914…just kidding! But really, knowing your country’s emergency line can be what saves you or someone else any day. Accidents, robberies, fire incidents or suspicious activities can be reported to your country’s security through these lines. In Ghana, the emergency line to call is 112, in the US, 911 in Nigeria, 112. The emergency line for the UK is 999. All the countries have theirs, your country does too. It could come in handy at any time so, keep it in mind.
6. Avoid too many drinks when driving
Although we receive hundreds of contents preaching this daily, there are a lot of people still engaging in the deadly act of drinking alcohol based drinks despite knowing that they would be driving. Aside from endangering your life, you would be putting the lives of others; drivers, pedestrians at risk. If you must drink, please leave the driving to someone else to do.
7. You might want to check those fireworks
What’s Christmas without the blasts of fireworks? It’s one of the things I look forward to every December! But are you aware that there were an estimated 15 600 firework-related emergency department-treated injuries in 2020? The US consumer product safety commission says based on research. So, check to ensure that your fireworks would not be posing any harm to anyone. It is preferable to make fireworks in an open space, say, a field. Make sure that your fireworks’ landing point is not someone’s head. You never know!
God protects and sustains our lives but making attempts to keep ourselves from harm’s way is our duty. So, be vigilant as you enjoy your Christmas.