Have a safe holiday

Have a safe holiday is our message to all members and visitors. And this message doesn’t only apply to staying Covid-safe. It means you should protect you and yours this Festive Season.

Your home

December is the peak month for house robberies. So make sure your home security is up to scratch and that your home appears occupied at all times. This means putting your lights on a timer switch and ensuring that your post box is emptied regularly.

Travelling

When travelling, make sure your vehicle is in good running condition, get plenty of rest and be prepared for any emergency. Buckle up and if you have a concealed carry licence, make sure to take your firearm along. To plan ahead for heavy traffic, leave early and put that cell phone away. Drive defensively. When stopping along the road, stay alert and be aware of your surroundings at all times. The same applies to your shopping trips. Thieves love hanging around shopping areas. Be aware of the people around you (front, back and sides). And don’t flaunt the goods you’ve purchased.

Firearm safety

As a gun owner, you also need to exercise firearm safety. Always unload, clean and place your firearms in their secure storage location immediately after returning from a day at the range. Use a gun locking device that renders the firearm inoperable when not in use. A gun lock should be used as an additional safety precaution and not as a substitute for secure storage. Ensure that young people in your home are aware of and understand the safety guidelines concerning firearms. Best of all, educate everyone in your family about firearm safety. When entertaining visitors, it’s imperative to make sure your unloaded guns are locked away in a secure location. This is especially important to stop children from accessing your firearms. Children or guests may not come from gun-owning households and a young child’s curiosity is a powerful thing.

Concealed carry safety

If you’re a concealed carrier, the holidays are a time when you should strap on a holster and avoid carrying your firearm in your handbag, man bag or backpack. With visiting families or friends, everyone usually dumps their jackets, handbags and so forth in a spare room or on a chair. And kids being kids, one just might just open a bag or search a jacket pocket. So, keep your gun on your body where you’re the only one with access. It's up to you to ensure you have a safe holiday. Happy and safe holidays from all of us at Marksman’s Nest.