Thinking safety amidst this beautiful chaos

By Mata'afa Keni Lesa 22 December 2018, 12:00AM

This is an extremely busy time of the year. Beautiful chaos. There is absolutely no doubt about it. 

What with Christmas a few days away and so many joyful events taking place all over the country – not to mention the last minute Christmas shopping rush - everyone has their hands full. 

This is also a time where everyone is vulnerable. Because with so many things to do, we often forget what’s important and that is safety of all things. 

See not only are members of the public vulnerable to accidents on the road, beaches and everywhere else, we’ve seen over the years how children have been lost, properties misplaced and in some cases stolen and so many other things that could go wrong. 

Indeed, we know that Christmas time is a crazy period. What with presents to buy, meals to plan and family and friends to entertain, there are so many things to do.

Today, we want to talk a little about safety and how we can all make this Christmas season a little more enjoyable. We want everyone to be able to celebrate, without the unnecessary heartaches and headaches that come with being careless. 

Let’s not kid ourselves here; there are some wicked people out there amidst this busyness, who will look to take advantage of the situation. Though most people are full of the holiday spirit and good will this time of year, criminals look for the opportunity to strike. We know.

We’re talking about sex predators who will be preying on young girls – and sometimes boys – who look vulnerable anywhere and everywhere. 

So please make sure you know where your children are and if you are at a public place, it pays to always hold their hand and keep an eye out for them.

This is also a time where many of us like to take a trip to the beach or other places, where swimming is likely to be involved. We’ve seen instances where some parents get on the ‘juice’, while leaving the kids to their own devices at the pool or the sea. This is a recipe for disaster and we’ve seen tragedy strike as a result.

Children should never be in the water by themselves. Anything can happen and quickly too. Tears and regrets will not bring them back. A little care and a plan can go a long way, to ensure a safe and merry celebration for all. 

It might involve mum or dad sacrificing a few drinks to hang out and supervise the children. It could even mean getting an adult you trust to do that, while you enjoy yourself.

Safety of course is not confined to looking after children. Because this is a time where the car will become especially useful, drivers must always ensure the car is safe to be on the road. 

And don’t forget to look after your home when you make plans to go away. Thieves and burglars are looking for ways to break in while you are away and distracted. Inside the house, ensure all the power plugs are switched off, and ask someone to look out for your home while you’re away.

At those end of year work Christmas gatherings, look after your work colleagues. If you know they have had enough to drink, put them in a taxi and send them home. Don’t allow them to make a fool of themselves in public – let alone risk their lives and that of others because of stupidity.   

A few days away from Christmas on Tuesday, the general feel around Samoa today is festive and positive. Which is understandable and wonderful. It’s a nice break from the doom and gloom of late. So much has happened this year, many of those occasions, which have dominated the headlines, have been negative.

But one of the best things about Christmas and the festive season in general, is that it gives everyone a break from the mundane, and allows people the time to celebrate what’s important. That is people who are closest to you, sharing with them the joy of the season. 

Even if you don’t believe in the “reason for the season,” Christmas time is without a doubt the most wonderful time of the year, even with all its beautiful chaos and mad rush.

But let’s not be ignorant about safety. 

We want to be safe this Christmas season. So let’s be safe and look out for one another. Have a wonderful weekend Samoa, God bless! 

By Mata'afa Keni Lesa 22 December 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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