Personal security tips advise you on how to stay safe at home, at work on while on the move. Personal security tips can protect you, your family and your properties against danger or crime if adhered to. In this article, you will receive personal security tips that will protect and prepare you and those around you if these precautions are employed. Though only 10 personal security tips will be addressed here, the list is non-exhaustive.
Here are 10 personal security tips in Nigeria:
-
Keep a Low Profile
Try to keep a low profile so as not to attract unnecessary attention to yourself. You should avoid flamboyant clothes and jewelry that are likely to attract attention to yourself. Also, try to not talk about vital details of your work in public places where you might be eavesdropped on. You should be prudent in divulging personal and financial details of yourself and your loved ones over the phone; members of your family should be enlightened not to disclose personal information to strangers.
-
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Being aware of your surrounding is an important personal security tip that can save you from harm or danger. You should know which areas of your neighbourhood or city you live in represent a security threat and adapt precautions by being alert of your surroundings. Whenever you are arriving or departing a routine place – office, house, school, etc. – pay attention to people and parked vehicles within the vicinity. You should teach your family members and children to develop an awareness of unusual incidents and strangers in their surroundings.
-
Vary Your Everyday Routine
You should avoid sticking to predictable routines when arriving and departing everyday places like school, office, house. Try to vary the timing to and from these routine places. You should also have a range of routes that you use to and from everyday destinations so as not to have a predictable route. When you have to unavoidably ply through an area that may represent a threat, you’ve to be alert – adopt and maintain appropriate security measures.
-
Communication
You should inculcate the habit of knowing about where each member of your family ought to be, and when they are to return. Likewise, you should share information notifying your friends or family about your movements. It is pertinent, however, to advise members of your family against sharing the movement details of other family members to strangers. You should also strive to develop a good rapport with your neighbours. If you and your neighbours have such good relations, they can put an eye on your property in your absence and exchange vital security situation reports with you.
-
Tips When Answering the Door
Before you let anybody into your house, positively identify them. In the case where you request service personnel ensure to know in advance who will be coming. Make sure to supervise any service personnel while working in your house. In the event of home delivery, you have to check the package before accepting it. You should be wary of late-night visits; at night keep the outside lights on, and inside lights off, so you can clearly who is at the door. In the absence of an adult, instruct your children not to answer the door to strangers nor let anyone into the house.
-
Security Tips When Walking
As much as possible you should avoid walking alone, especially after dark. When walking after nightfall, use well-lit and busy streets. You should be aware of your surroundings as you travel on foot; avoid distractions by taking your eyes off your screen and earbuds out of your ear. If you notice suspicious movements around you, cross the road, retrace your steps or walk in a shop, to observe and inform relevant authorities, if necessary. When walking, you should endeavour to put forth a confident outlook – keep your shoulders back and chin up as you stride. Also, ensure that your belongings are held up securely to avert snatch-and-run theft.
-
Security Tips When You Check into a Hotel
Whenever you check into any hotel, do not disclose vital details of yourself and your type of work – be discreet. If possible, avoid the ground floor of hotels; they can be easily breached. While in the room of the hotel, you should ensure that the door is always securely locked. You should ensure to positively identify a visitor to your room before letting the person in. Also, share information on the name and location of the hotel and the expected time to be spent there with your friends or family members.
-
Secure Access into Your House
You should learn to check that all access into your house – doors, and windows – are completely checked to ensure that they are secure when you are going to bed or leaving the house. If you live in a duplex, you should ensure that the windows on the top floor are secure when you go to bed or leave the house. You should go for good-quality locks on the external doors and access windows of your house. Make sure that tools such as hammer, ladder, machete, and so on, aren’t kept where they are easily accessible to strangers or visitors to your house.
-
Social Media Networking Security Tips
There are several internet-based social media platforms, like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., and many people use these sites for a range of reasons including networking, entertainment, business, and so on. When signing up on these sites, you are asked to provide some personal information about yourself, occupation, education, etc. nonetheless, be cautious about identity theft. To do this, review the privacy settings on these online social networking sites so that your details are not readily available to everybody. Also, be discreet in divulging confidential details of yourself, family, and work as this information may be used to exploit you.
-
Tips While Driving
First, you have to have your automobile vehicle serviced regularly and in good working condition. Before you get into your vehicle and drive off, do a thorough examination. You should avoid picking up passengers that you don’t know. Also, let your friends or family members know where your destination is, travel time and what to do if you are late. If you notice that you are being followed, try and remain calm, close all windows, lock the doorknobs, and keep on moving, even if only slowly. Record the registration number and details of any suspicious vehicle and call the Police or relevant authorities to report.
Conclusion
There are emergency numbers for several security outfits that Nigeria citizens can call in situations of distress, security threat, or emergency. The national emergency numbers in Nigeria include 112; 01-4931260; and 01-4978899. Residents of Lagos State can call 767 or 122. These emergency numbers are usually toll-free.