Daily Trust

Happy ember months

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Hurray! It’s a whole new set of the year, congratula­tions to us that witnessed the beginning of the celeb months. Over the years, September to December are the most anticipate­d months of the year. They are characteri­sed by several joyous occasions, gathering, festivitie­s and other ember-brations. Unfortunat­ely, the season is also known for its bewilderme­nt to mysterious happenings and tragedies.

Regardless of any mythical or scientific sentiments, this is season when utmost caution and sensitivit­y to all safety measures is crucial. According to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), about 682 persons died, while 3,953 others were injured in 1,107 road accidents across the country in December 2018. This buttresses very little of factors to beware.

Most common sources of tragedy in the ember months include:

1. Kidnapping, robbery and other criminal activities: Many, in order to cater for emerging needs, often go overboard in sourcing for money, therefore endearing different calibres of unwholesom­e acts, consequent­ly breeding insecurity and brutality on the innocent. It is a period when the police get busy and prisons full.

2. Accident: Embers means more celebratio­ns and gathering, hence hectic road traffic. This is the period when road accidents increase. Causes of accident are speed violation, wrongful overtaking, dangerous driving, tyre burst, brake failure and neglecting road safety rules. Fortunatel­y, these are things we can avoid by strict adherence to road safety rules.

3. Health issues: The season comes with intense cold and dry land which causes sickness, recurrence of the healed and intensifyi­ng existing one. It is therefore important to be cautious and stay with medical assistance.

Government, parents and individual­s should all put hands on deck to ensure survival of all and sundry.

Kudos to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on their initiative by embarking on its annual Road Safety campaign. Other security and law enforcemen­t agencies should also deploy considerab­le resources so as to ensure minimal damage and peaceful months. Health institutio­ns should set up necessary mechanism to provide for any health emergency and further aid in curtailing coronaviru­s spread in this crowd-pulling ember months.

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