Whenever people talk about safety, the first thing that comes to mind is road safety, that is, safety on the road but don’t know that there is home safety too.
However, we don’t have to wait for the security men to keep our home safe. We also have some responsibility to play to keep our home safe.
1. Always Lock your Gate or Doors
Even though our emphasis is not on security but as part of safety, we must always ensure that our houses locked whether we are in or out especially these days that kidnapping is rampant. Once you are in your compound, ensure that they padlock your gate so that unwanted visitors or criminals don’t have access to your house. Even as your gate is locked, ensure the door to your entrance is locked also likewise the exit or back door especially if you don’t have burglary gates but if you have, you can just lock the gate and just shut the doors but if you are not too confident with the gates, kindly padlock your doors.
2. Keep the floor clean and dry
This is very important. A dirty environment attracts all kinds of insects and reptiles. If the environment is always clean, you can easily see any insect or reptile that mistakenly finds its way into your house.
Meanwhile, ensure that your wet floor is always dry before moving around. Apart from the fact that it will become dirty again due to stamping on it, it could cause domestic accident. Many people have passed on due to heavy fall from wet ground. So whenever you notice water on the ground, kindly mop or clean it immediately to avoid any kind of accident.
3. Keep poisonous items away
This is very important because many parents are careless about it. After using poisons for reptiles, insects and others, they mistakenly keep them in an expose places. And children who want to know everything especially those ones still crawling and will always put anything inside their mouth, might just carelessly do that. So always keep such poisons far from their reach.
4. Avoid your kids from going near electricity especially during rainy season
Please, we are approaching the rainy season anytime from April hence you have to start controlling and monitoring the movement of your children. No matter how busy you are, never allow them to go close to the electricity, it is very risky especially during the rainy season, please be warned.
5. Don’t allow them in the kitchen
Fire is very dangerous hence don’t allow your kids inside the kitchen when you are cook, even when you are not. If possible your kitchen should be under lock and key. And if the door of your kitchen is not good, kindly keep matches away from their reach and if possible also, remove the head of the gas cylinder especially when you are going out so that even if they light the matches, the gas will not supply. Also for your own good, kindly remove the gas cylinder head because you might mistakenly forget to put off the fire when cooking or warming your foods; this mostly happen when you are in a hurry to leave the house.
6. Don’t let them have access to the house keys
This is a security measure to avoid your kids from opening doors for strangers. A child carelessly opened door for somebody when her mother was sleeping while the father was away. The child was lured by the stranger to gain access into the house. So as parents, keep your house keys far from your kids especially when taking a nap.
7. Never leave your children inside the car alone or allow them have access to your car keys
Just like the house keys, also don’t allow your children to have access to your car keys, it is very risky. Children are fast learners and they watch you when driving and will want to do the same especially when you are not around. Somebody almost lost his son due to this carelessness. Parents should also not leave car on when they are not inside the car. The child might just engage the gear and you know the implication of that? ACCIDENT of course!
8. Have a Fire Fighting Equipment at Home
This is one thing many people don’t take serious. They believe that they are careful enough not to have fire outbreak but the people that have experience fire outbreak never plan for it, it just happened out of carelessness. However, the equipment might just be helpful to your neighbor and if you think, you don’t have to help your neighbor, that fire could just spread to your property if it is not put out on time, so it is better to have that fire fighting equipment. You can just go for the small one that stop fire from spreading at the early stage.
9. Keep sharp objects away
As parents, always ensure you don’t have any sharp objects around. Sharp objects like needle should not be seen around your sitting room especially on your settee. Knives and cutleries should be kept on a higher place where your children’s hands cannot get to. In fact, if it is possible, always lock your kitchen with keys especially as your children are growing and watching all kinds of films and cartoons. They might want to practice what they watch, and pick knives from the kitchen or an ordinary quarrel between them could result to one picking knife as a weapon. Parents please be warned.
10. Always have FIRST AID Box in your home.

Lastly, as part of our Home Safety lesson, we must always have First Aid Box in our homes. Nobody is praying for any negative thing but as it is the Boys’ Scout slogan, Always Be Prepared. We must always be prepared for any eventuality. We might not be the one that will make use of it, it could be your neighbor but there is still need for First Aid Box for the treatment of minor injuries.

SAFETY/SECURITY TIPS
The FCT Police Command assures residents of its unwavering commitment to ensuring their safety and security. The Command urges all citizens to take proactive measures to secure their homes and surroundings, particularly those planning to travel or leave their residences unattended.
To promote safety and prevent crime during this period, the FCT Police Command offers the following safety tips:
1. Light Up Your Surroundings
Ensure your homes and surroundings are adequately lit. Well-lit environments deter criminal activities and improve visibility.
2. Maintain Clear Visibility
Remove visual obstructions such as overgrown grasses, bushes, or debris that may provide hiding spots for criminals.
3. Stay Vigilant
Be alert and report any suspicious activities or unfamiliar persons loitering within your Area of Responsibility (AOR). Prompt reporting can prevent potential security threats.
4. Engage Neighbours
If you plan to travel, inform your neighbors and ask them to keep an eye on your property. A watchful community can deter criminal activities and enhance security.
5. Lock Up
Ensure all doors, windows, and gates are securely locked before leaving your home. Consider using additional security measures like alarms or surveillance cameras.
6. Avoid Sharing Travel Plans
Be discreet about your travel plans on social media or with acquaintances to avoid alerting potential criminals.
Residents are advised to contact the police immediately via the Command’s emergency lines to report suspicious activities: 08061581938, 08032003913, 07057337653.
The FCT Police Command will intensify patrols and vigilance always. Cooperation and timely reporting by members of the public will go a long way in ensuring the safety of lives and property. Stay safe!

SP Josephine Adeh
Police Public Relations Officer,
FCT Command, Abuja.