PERSONAL/HOME SECURITY AND SAFETY LECTURE.

The responsibility for security awareness or security consciousness lies with the average Nigeria even though some may not be aware of this fact; Nigerians are not security conscious, they tend to be uninformed about security and safety matters. They fail to realize that a citizen that is not security conscious is an easy prey for criminals and other loss producing event. WHAT IS SECURITY? Security can be defined as the absence of danger and or loss. Security connotes a condition of safety. “Danger” means, something that can be harmful to people, property, information, and environment. While “Loss” is defined as reduction or decrease in value. In other to achieve a state of security, individual or organization has to take several actions aimed at ensuring the absence of danger and/loss. The point is that security is a shared responsibility individual, organization, government agencies are all responsible for providing security at various level, using various approaches and strategies. The first step of getting secured is to acquire a state of consciousness known as security consciousness and state of awareness, once the individual is conscious or aware of security issue, he/she may now act to mitigate the threats of insecurity. The state of getting secured is a purpose and goal seeking activity. And the goal is to protect assets and prevent losses. Assets include people, property, information, environment and mission. If the goal of security is asset protection and loss prevention, you may ask why do I need security? WHY DO I NEED SECURITY? Your entire life and welfare depends on security. Therefore, you need security for the following reasons. 1. Life Safety:- it is to protect us from armed robbers, terrorists, kidnappers, jealous lovers and all manners of individual intent in taking our lives 2. Injury Avoidance:- security is necessary for the avoidance of injury and hospitalization, under conditions that are life threatening. 3. We define loss as the decrease in value:- Security helps you to avoid loss. Aside from direct losses, there are indirect losses such as liability loss, legal cost, loss avoidance is an important reason, that will need security. Loss avoidance enables the individual or organization to preserve financial resources. 4. Promotion of Productivity:- security promotes productivity as it creates an environment where pursuit of legitimate activity can take place. 5. Promotion of Safety:- you need security knowledge and action to keep you and your family safe from home accidents and other safety hazard like fire outbreak, substances abuse etc. 6. Promotion of Public Safety:- we need security because it promotes public safety. Security makes the society crime proof by making it harder for criminals to victimize its members. 7. Police assistance:- if we understand security know-how it is a great help to the police as a person who is security conscious have a higher cooperation level with law enforcement agencies. Security conscious people are more likely to report crime. They are aware that the police are set up to help Nigerian citizens with crime control. SECURITY THREATS Security threats are the potential loss events that may impact us if we do not act to avoid them regardless of size, location or mission face, a wide variety of threats fall into three categories.  Intentional Threats: - is based on identification and study of adversaries, self example train armed robbers, terrorism, murderers, bombing, shooting, kidnapping, political violence, arson piracy etc. Fraud Related Threats are ATM Fraud, Advanced Fee Fraud (419) Fake Currency washing, scam, Chemical Fraud, Real Estate Fraud, Fake Products Etc.  Natural Threats:- is based on historical trends, data can be collected on weather and other Natural hazard for specific geographical areas and environment.  Inadvertent Threats:- Perhaps, the most over looked or neglected. These include accidents, errors and omissions. HOME SECURITY Armed Robbers have made our homes a favorite target: Our homes had always been considered a castle or a refuge that is no longer free today because of the activities of armed robbers. In 2005, it was estimated that 30% of the robberies that occurred were home invasions. A home invasion is a type of robbery operation involving the armed criminals in full control of the home and its occupants. Home invasions often result in other crimes such as murder, attempted murder, abduction, rape and aggravated assaults etc. COUNTER MEASURES FOR HOME INVASION. The following are some of the measures you must take to avoid the invasion of your home by unwanted guests. 1. Become Security Conscious:- you must become security conscious by becoming more interested in security matters: stories of criminal attack should be shared among neighbors. Once the modus operandi of a robbery gang is known it can be frustrated in other areas. 2. Join the resident association:- it is advisable to join the resident association in your area and bring up security issues at monthly or other periodic meeting. Occasionally, the association should initiate security tips. 3. Perimeter fencing:- There is no universal rule on perimeter fencing in Nigeria. It is step to deter criminal sentences in your compound. 4. Hire Security Guides:- if you can afford it, get uniformed guards from a recognized security company. 5. CCTV: install CCTV camera in your home, when it is installed, the family should always take time to watch the video images as a security measure. 6. Panic Alarm System:- You need panic alarm system in our homes to send signal that your home is under invasion. 7. Police emergency contacts:- Residents should program the phone number of police control room or police stations into their mobile phones. Home Security is a critical component of any Personal Security program.  All entrances should have quality locks  Don’t leave keys hidden outside the home; leave an extra key with a trusted neighbor or colleague.  Keep doors locked even when you or family members are at home.  Have windows locks installed on all windows.  Have locks installed on your fuse box and external power sources.  If you have burglar or intrusion alarms check and use them.  Keep at least one fire extinguisher on each floor and be sure to keep one in the kitchen. Show family members and household how to use them.  Periodically check smoke detector and replace batteries when necessary.  Keep flashlights in several areas in the house. Check the batteries often, especially if you have children in your house. (They love to play with flash lights).  Choose a location that offers the most security, the less remote, the safer your home will be, particularly in a neighborhood close to police and fire protection. You can also improvise.  Know your neighbors, develops a rapport with them and offer to keep an eye on each other’s home especially during travelling or trips.  Establish safe family living patterns if you understand the importance of your contribution to the family’s overall security. The entire household will be safer.  While at home, you and your family should release safety drills and be aware of procedures to escape danger and get help.  Educate family members and domestic help in the proper way. To answer the telephone at home.  Vary daily routines, avoid predictable patterns.  Know when all family members are at all times. ESTABLISHING A SAFE HAVEN. Follow these three basic steps in setting up a safe haven in your home.  Designate an internal room  Install a telephone  Furnish the safe haven with an emergency kit. Note: it is not possible to spend more than a few hours in a safe haven. FIRE SAFETY AT HOME. Three vital facts you should know about fire:-  It isn’t usually that fire kills, it is the products of combustion – smoke, toxic gases or superheated  Fire travels at highlighting speed- up to 19 feet per seconds.  The critical hours for a house fire are when most people are asleep. This means you need to detect fire early.  Install smoke detectors  Create and practice afire escape plan  Take fire prevention measures. SMOKE DETECTORS Smoke detectors can mean the difference between life and death. They are inexpensive and are battery operated. Test your detectors regularly and replace the batteries as needed. Usually twice a year. EXIT DRILL You and your family should create a fire exit plan together. Practice how to escape the house from every room. Identify two exits from each bedroom. Designate a muster point outside the house. PREVENTIVE MEASURES.  Carelessness with matches/cigarette is the most frequent cause of house fire.  Open flames and the resulting sparks are dangerous. Don’t place open flames on the balcony or near the house.  Check for faulty electrical wiring,  Over loaded circuits,  Faulty equipment, including cooking and heating appliance,  Leaking gas tanks,  Over loaded extension cord.  Keep a fire extinguisher in the house preferably one on every floor but particularly in the kitchen.  Teach older children and household help how to use the extinguisher. SECURITY DO’S FOR CHILDREN.  Teach children never to welcome strangers into the home.  Teach children local emergency number, phone numbers.  Make sure younger children know their name, address and phone number.  Caution teenagers’ against blind dates, or meeting anyone they do not know well.  Teach younger members of your family not to open mail or packages.  Teach your children how to answer the telephone so that they do not give out personal information such as home address, absence of adults etc.  Teach children how to say no to strangers  Teach children how to exit the house in case of emergency. SURVEILLANCE The Purpose of Surveillances is to identify a potential target based on the security precautions that individuals takes. Detecting surveillance requires a fairly constant state of alertness and therefore must become a habit. A good sense of what is normal and what is usual in your surrounding could be more important than any other type of security precaution you take. You should  Vary your routes and time of going out  Be familiar with your routes and have alternative routes.  Check regularly for surveillance.  Be alert to people who disguised as public utility staff, road workers vendors etc, who might station themselves near your house or office.  Always check your vehicle inside and outside before entering it. If you notice anything unusual do not enter the vehicle. Household staff and family members should be always reminded to look for suspicious activities, movement around our homes for example an attempt to gain access in our homes by fraudulent means, and telephone calls or other enquire requesting for personal information. Tell your household staff and family members to note description and plate number of vehicles. Advise them to be alert for details as follows: IF YOU WITNESS A CRIME If you see or suspect a Crime is being committed in your areas, please pay particular attention to the features of the offender(s) and any vehicle or okada involved. Please try to know the following about the offender(s).  Age, Tribe/ Race, Height, and Weight.  Hair colour and style, bead and mustache  Notable characteristics (acne, scars, their mental state etc.)  Clothing description.  Location where last seen.  Vehicle description and distinctive makings. Household staff are one of the most effective defensive mechanism in your home. PERSONAL SECURITY The most serious obstacle to Personal Security is an attitude of complacency, it can’t happen to me. Recent political events throughout the country has changed, but not necessarily diminished the threats we face but heighten it. The most prevalent threat we face today is CRIME. A criminal attack against you and your family can take place at anywhere; it can be fire or any other disaster. However you can influence what happen to you by assuming more responsibility for your own security. ON BUSES  Stay alert, don’t doze or day dream. WHEN GOING OUT  Let someone know where you will be and when you think of returning home.  Make sure your family and friends know where you can be reached.  Call when you reach your destination and once again just before leaving to go home. PREVENTING THEFTS FROM OFFICES.  Don’t be self satisfied and unaware of possible danger. Be aware! Be attentive.  Close and Lock your office when it is not occupied.  Lock your desk, file cabinet Locker etc.  Don’t leave your purse in that last or bottom drawer of your desk (they know it is there).  By using these basic safety tips and your non common sense, you can help protect yourself. Be alert; don’t assume that you are always safe. Think about your safety everywhere. Your best protection is avoiding dangerous situations.