Ways To Avoid Living In Fear But Living In A Better Security

Source: HEARTMENDERS MAGAZINE BLOG@ www.heartmendersmagazine.blogspot.com 

By Okechukwu Okugo

What is security? Security, simply put, is the means by which something, somebody or place is protected against some form of harm, or threats. It involves freedom from danger, risks and abiding in safety.
The threats protected against, may involve crimes, attacks from terrorists or foreign countries. Security also involves things done to make people or places safe.

Thus security is important to every individual, groups and the nation at large.

For people to stay safe or places to be protected, security measures have to be taken, which may involve the use of technology, processes or training of some individuals.

The effectiveness of the security measures taken, depends on how efficient security teams or forces detect and respond to threats; which in turn determines the degree to which the people feel and stay safe, reposing confidence on the system.

Today's world is full of threats: crimes, violence, terrorism etc. And as the day goes by, we see that each of the threats we face in the society, continues to escalate or take a different dimension.

Thus for maximum security, the protection of the people should no longer be left solely on security forces or teams to provide. Everyone has a definite role to play.

Increased security awareness, by always being security conscious, everyone has to make sure that they try to adhere to certain security procedures, measures and precautions, imbibing a safer security culture in order to reap maximum security benefits.

One should not feel, a place is safer simply by having video cameras installed throughout the area. Nor should one think, a good security measure involves living in suspicion and panic all the time.

A safer environment is gotten when the matter of security becomes a collective effort. How safe we stay as individuals and as a group of people, depends on how vigilant each and everyone of us is.

When we are conscious of our environment, and not stand or stay absentmindedly, it pays off better.
For example, when somebody walks past you and a policeman approaches you immediately to ask something about the person, would you be able to tell at least one thing, like the color of the cloth, or the direction the person took etc.?

When you are conscious of your environment, you may see the danger while it comes, and most times, attackers choose people who they feel are not paying attention, or are carried away.

By being conscious of your environment, chances are that you can notice easily, suspicious activities going on around you. And operating a safe security culture involves that you give security alert to the appropriate quarters immediately. Waste no time, because procrastination on security issues, might involve lots of lives. Like the usually say in New York Subways, "If you see something, say something," right-away.

Do not abate crime by keeping quiet. You can help foil a big terrorist attack, if you are conscious, especially in large gatherings.

And when you hear any rumor of an imminent danger, do not keep it to yourself waiting to see if it is true, because like a time-bomb, when it blows, no one knows who would be affected?
Maybe, someone you would really mourn: a friend, relative or colleague might be involved.
Tell it to the authorities immediately, and let them know your source of information. The buck then lies on them, to act fast, on whatever security information they receive with utmost confidentiality.

Resolve today, to always playing your own part to keeping your neighborhood, the society or any environment you found yourself, safe by being security conscious, and resolving to take actions without delay, whenever a potential threat comes around you.

Security is not achieved by living in fear and spreading the fear among the people. Rather, it is achieved by loving your neighbor as yourself, by being security conscious, protecting yourself and others. Charity begins wherever you found yourself.

(Opening image credit: www.snagajob.com.)