A guide on how to secure yourself, your home, or business this Easter  

The long Easter weekend is upon us! Are you traveling upcountry? Off on a vacation? This is the perfect time to unwind with your family and friends. With this in mind, you ought to be cautious about your security and that of your home or business since we live in a world with ever-evolving threats.  

Security and personal safety should be a priority throughout, with even more emphasis during holiday seasons. Foreign Embassies in the country have urged citizens and foreign nationals in the country to exercise vigilance during the Easter and Ramadhan holidays citing increased terrorist risk in the country.   

They have further warned all those present in the country during the period to avoid gatherings that could be potential targets for extremist groups planning to disrupt peace. Security agencies within the country are also on high alert for terror and criminal activities during the holidays. We should also follow suit since security starts with you.    

Here are some steps you can take this holiday season to help prevent, detect, and deter crime:  

• Stay in touch with your loved ones and make sure they are aware of your whereabouts   

Personal security is very important. Before you set off anywhere, be sure to let those close to you know where you’re going, whom you’re going with, and what you’ll be going to do. Keep your family members posted on your whereabouts as you go along. At Securex we offer free personal security solutions via the Securex App. This solution in form of a feature on the Securex App is dubbed the follow-me feature where you can connect and be followed by your loved ones on a map from anywhere in the world. The app is available on both the iOS and Android stores. 

• Inform someone you trust to keep an eye on your home if you won’t be around   

With many set to travel, homes that are unoccupied will easily become soft targets for professional and opportunistic criminals. Ask friends, family, or domestic staff to stay over at your house. If you can’t find someone to stay at home, you could occasionally send someone to switch on and off the exterior lights to indicate signs of activity at the premises. Also investing in smart home automation solutions like smart lighting can allow you to create the impression that someone is at home by remotely turning on lights in and around the house.  

• Be on the lookout for any suspicious activity   

As much as it seems almost impossible to guarantee your safety from violent extremist groups, you can still learn to be conscientious about danger and have a plan in mind in case of an attack.”See Something, Say Something” should be your motto not only during the festive season but always. Report anything suspicious such as an unattended backpack or someone loitering in sensitive areas. Just as the foreign consulates advised, avoid public gatherings that could be potential targets for extremist groups planning to disrupt peace.  

• Invest in reliable security solutions  

Studies show that as many as 67 percent of home break-ins could be prevented with the use of surveillance systems. It is also estimated that burglars are 90 percent more likely to target a property without any security system in place. According to our security reports, 90 percent of all break-in incidents that were reported in March happened in residential areas.  

At Securex we believe that security is not a want, is a need. It’s not, a good to have, but a must-have. Therefore, protecting yourself, or your premises is a 24/7 activity and its effectiveness depends on you. There is a wide range of security solutions at your disposal, from simple solutions for your home to complex solutions for your business. 

For a quick and convenient home security system, you can invest in affordable, DIY solutions such as the smart home security alarm kit and smart cameras. These solutions are connected to your home WIFI and are remotely controlled via a smartphone giving you full convenience and control of your home security.

 10 safety tips to be aware of this Easter season 

1. Whether you’re traveling across town or around the world, always be safe. Wear a seat belt every time you drive or ride in a vehicle. Always buckle children in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or a seat belt appropriate for their height, weight, and age.   
2. Don’t drink and drive! Do not let someone else drink and drive either! Have a designated driver or call a taxi when you know that you will be consuming alcohol. Drunk driving is one of the main causes of death on Kenyan roads.   
3. If you must use an ATM, choose one that is in a secure area such as a mall or a well-lit petrol station. Withdraw only the amount of cash you need and try to use mobile money wherever possible.    
4. Once you have withdrawn any money, always be alert for someone who could be monitoring your movements. Whenever you’re unsure, take two rounds around a roundabout or drive towards a public place such as a shopping mall or a petrol station.   
5. Always travel with windows and doors locked and valuables out of sight. If windows must be open, ensure the opening isn’t big enough to fit a hand.   
6. Beware of strangers approaching you for no reason. Confident pickpockets have mastered the art of distraction with the intention of stealing your money or belongings.   
7. Teach children their full name, address, and telephone number to share with police officers or security if they ever get lost. Encourage children not to speak to strangers and to immediately inform you if strangers are bothering them.   
8. Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house, even if it’s for a few minutes.    
9. Maintain your situational awareness. Talking on your cell phone or listening to music on your headphones leaves you distracted, making you an easy target for would-be criminals.   
10. When reaching your home or vehicle, avoid fumbling around looking for your keys in your bag or pocket. Have them ready in your hand prior to reaching the door.     

Stay safe and secure this Easter season and remember even though easter is the only time of the year when it is safe to put all your eggs in one basket, be wary of your surroundings at all times. Happy Easter Holidays! From the entire Securex family.