By Kadiatu A. Turay

As the festive season approaches, families, friends, and communities prepare for celebrations, travel, and social gatherings, while the holidays bring joy, renewed energy, and togetherness, they also come with increased risks whether on the road, in health, or in the hustle of crowds. Staying safe during this time requires awareness, planning, and cooperation between individuals, authorities, and communities.

Festive travel often means heavy traffic, long queues at transport hubs, and unpredictable weather, many Sierra Leoneans journey from the cities back to rural areas for celebrations.
As road-safety advocate Samuel Kargbo warns, the excitement of the season should never overshadow the importance of caution on our roads. Most accidents during December are linked to speeding and fatigue.”

Plan your journey early to avoid last-minute rushes and avoid traveling at night if possible, check your vehicle’s condition: brakes, tyres, lights, and engine, use licensed transport services rather than overloaded or unsafe options.

Avoid drunk driving, and do not board vehicles whose drivers are intoxicated, carry emergency contacts and a basic first-aid kit, follow guidance from the police, especially at checkpoints, and respect speed limits and traffic regulations.

During the festive period, late nights, alcohol over-indulgence, rich meals, increased cooking, and even fireworks smoke can strain health, according to nurse practitioner Mariama Sesay at Lumley Health Centre, we usually see a rise in dehydration, food poisoning, and respiratory infections right after Christmas and New Year, prevention is always better than treatment.”

Stay hydrated especially if you attend outdoor events or spend long hours traveling, eat moderately and make sure food is properly cooked and prepared hygienically, keep essential medications handy if you have chronic conditions, get enough rest to avoid fatigue and stress, practice good hygiene, like frequent hand-washing, particularly around crowds.

Local resident Foday Conteh reflects, the season is sweet, but if you fall sick you can’t enjoy it. I always carry water, and I avoid eating from places that do not look clean.

Festive events concerts, beach outings, church gatherings, carnivals, reunions often draw large crowds, while they bring fun and togetherness, they also carry risks such as stampedes, pickpocketing, and fire hazards, event organizer Abigail George, who manages holiday concerts in Freetown, says, crowd control is not optional, we need proper exits, security personnel, and emergency plans. Safety is part of the celebration.

Know where the exits are whenever you attend an event, stay alert and avoid getting lost in tightly packed crowds, keep valuables secure; avoid carrying large amounts of cash, follow instructions from security personnel and event staff, choose trusted venues with proper lighting and clear emergency access, parents should keep children close even a two-second distraction can lead to panic, as community mother Haja Bintu Bah notes.

Holiday decorations, cooking for large gatherings, fireworks, and increased movement mean home and community safety matters more than ever. According to firefighter Ibrahim Kamara, “Many fires start from unattended stoves or faulty electrical connections. A little care can save lives.”

Turn off all decorative lights and appliances before sleeping or leaving the house, Never leave cooking food unattended, keep children away from fireworks, candles, lighters, and matches, Lock doors and windows if the household will be empty while travelling, inspect gas cylinders and electrical cords for leaks, wear, or damage.

Encourage community cooperation neighbours looking out for one another makes the whole community safer. As neighborhood leader Madam Yeabu Mansaray observes, “When we look out for each other, the whole community is safer.”

The festive season is a special time filled with warmth, connection, and celebration. But its beauty can be fully enjoyed only when safety is at the center. By planning travel carefully, protecting health, staying alert at events, and practicing responsible behaviour at home, you safeguard not just yourself but your family, friends, and community, to quote transport officer Daniel Fofanah, safety is a gift you give to yourself and everyone around you, celebrate joyfully  and safely.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday, 5th December 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)