Last week I posted the requirements of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for our cars. If you missed the post, here are the requirements:
1. Warning triangle (c-caution)
2. Fire extinguisher
3. Jack
4. Spare tyre
5. First Aid kit
Pair of scissors, Safety pins, Iodine, Cotton wool, Handkerchiefs, Plasters/dressing for wounds, Splints, Bandage, Disposable gloves, Razor blades, Adhesive tapes, Aspirin/ Paracetamol, Antibiotic, ointment, Antiseptic, Petroleum jelly, Antibacterial Soap, Latex gloves / Facial mask
6. Wheel spanner
7. Water
8. Hydraulic
9. Transmission fluid
10. Torch light
11. Spare fan belt.
12. Razor Blade (for emphasis, check number 5)
One of the comments asked what will be the duty of FRSC and emergency response if we carry all those stuff around. Now, this is the wrong attitude towards ones personal safety. While I understand that it might seem the Government keeps hounding the citizens while not performing its role optimally, we need to begin to take ownership of our safety. Because we have hospitals and emergency response services, does it mean we should put ourselves in the line of danger? NO
The thing about emergencies is they occur anywhere and anytime without your permission. Therefore the onus is on you and I to be prepared. It is not in the time of the emergency we should wonder what to do. Instead, that is the time to act based on the plan and resources put together for such eventuality. Time is very important during emergencies, therefore valuable, life-saving time shouldn’t be spent looking for materials or just waiting for emergency response. That is the time to act. Just the way we administer first aid to prevent degeneration of injury, that is the way having the right tools and plans help to reduce the dire effects of emergencies. If someone were to stop to help you, how can they if you have no tools? If you’re alone, how can you help yourself if you have no tools?
We need to change our orientation that bad things can’t happen or we have to wait for others to help us. What if bad things do happen? What if we are alone and help is far? A popular saying goes “Prepare for the best, plan for the worst”. That should be our attitude to our personal safety. If nothing happens, that is absolutely perfect, but if it does, you shouldn’t be caught napping.
It’s that time of the year again, things are winding down and with it comes safety challenges. Assess your home, are you ready for emergencies? Assess your workplace, your children’s school, your place of worship, your preferred leisure spot, your car. What could possibly go wrong? Plan, prepare and act.
