Lighting fireworks and smoking cigarettes are a match made in pyrotechnic heaven.  Photo: CFP


 

Dear friends: Congratulations! You've successfully survived the Year of Dragon, and even the alleged doomsday. It's still a scary world out there, and the old Chinese adage says, "The end of the year is tough to get through."

Not to scare you, but there are a few dangers to watch out for during Spring Festival. Armed with our precautionary tips, though, your New Year should start off with an injury-free bang.

Tis the season for burglary

While most businesses take a break at this time of year, burglars are gearing up to break in. Theft rates always rise during the festival season.

Recently, many Beijingers have found mysterious marks on their doorways or walls, allegedly drawn by the burglars canvassing the neighborhood.

In January, CCTV released a list of common marks and their corresponding meanings. For example, an x supposedly means "will break in soon."

This sparked a great amount of discussion about the legitimacy of those interpretations and the risks of burglars prowling the neighborhood.

Liang Qi, 32, an architect who lives in Chaoyang district, is now seriously considering installing an extra lock and infrared cameras because of her experiences in the past few weeks.

People knocked on her door, claiming to be from a food delivery service. Liang didn't open the door and said she never ordered anything, and the man immediately left.

"It has happened many times," said Liang, suspecting that they're either sizing up the neighborhood or trying to force their way in.

Zi Xiangdong, Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau media officer, encourages Beijingers to lock all doors and windows before leaving for vacation.

Tips:

1. If you find any suspicious marks, erase them. Perhaps even draw a mark of your own to indicate "guarded by ferocious dogs" or "poor." But thieves don't always use the same code system and it's possible that your mark means "loaded with money" to them instead.

2. Fliers lying on the doormat or crammed on your doorknobs show you've been away for a long time. Clean them up before you leave and ask a neighbor to pick them up while you're away.

Pocket-picking can happen anywhere

There are many occasions when you are vulnerable to thieves, especially when using public transportation. It's easy to get distracted watching a couple quarrel or make out. Theft can happen on an empty street or right as you step away from an ATM.

 Crowded places such as Temple Fairs and the public transit that leads to them are fertile grounds for pick-pocketing, said Zi from the Public Security Bureau. If you have been pick-pocketed, call 110.

Tips:

1. Stay alert. Don't listen to music or watch movies while on public transit.

2. The friendly woman who comes out of nowhere and starts talking to you might be in cahoots with a theft group. Evaluate the possibility of her being attracted by your wallet. 

3. If you are carrying a backpack, put it against your chest so you can keep an eye on it.

4. Don't go home too late. If you must, go with friends.

5. Withdraw or deposit money during daytime.

Beware of frauds, scams and stalkers

Handicapped beggars, mute children, beautiful women in distress, sharp looking men in suits - anybody can be faking you out, so don't be naive.

Frauds affect locals and foreigners alike. For example, there have been fraud e-mails written in flawless English, posing as a Chinese charity fund, a lawyer or even a court, claiming you've won a lottery, dead rich relatives left you a sum of money or you're subpoenaed - all asking for money in some artful way.

Zi said the police of Haidian district recently busted a group of eight con men who had been performing a scam where they pick up something valuable from the street, then say they want to split the reward money with you. They ask you for a deposit as they go to pick up the reward money, and never return.

Zi encourages Beijingers to be smart and avoid schemes like this, but if you do fall victim, go to the nearest police station or dial 110.

The Internet makes things easy for stalkers and predators. A 17-year-old girl from Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, who liked to post photos with global positioning on Weibo, China's microblog site, was stalked and later found dead, Southern Metropolis Daily reported on January 15.

Tips:

1. Things that are too good to be true usually are.

2. Be careful with social networking sites. Don't post every detail of your life or check in multiple times a day.

Go easy with the fireworks

Environmentalists tell us not to set off fireworks for the sake of the recent air pollution. Indeed, in this poor visibility, it may be hard to enjoy fireworks displays.

If you insist on launching your own or are in close proximity of some, be on alert because firecrackers are no joke. A truck of fireworks equaling a ton of explosives may be responsible for blowing up a bridge, according to a February 4 Global Times report about a recent accident in Henan Province.

Tips:

1. We know you won't be so stupid that you would light a firecracker with a cigarette, and then make a mistake of throwing away the cigarette and putting the cracker in your mouth. There'll be plenty of time for you to reflect upon your mistake in the hospital. As a rule, don't use cigarettes to light explosives.

2. For those expats who're having their first Chinese Spring Festival here, wearing earplugs is highly recommended, and take medication in advance if you have a heart condition as the onslaught of snap, crackle and pop can be alarming.

Road hazards

Beijing is known for its terrible traffic and bad drivers. Recent snow, fog and freezing rain have made it even harder to safely navigate the capital.

What's worse, pedestrians are even more unpredictable this time of year, since people are enjoying more alcohol, still recovering from holiday-shopping insanity and children on school holiday are wilder than usual.

Tips:

1. While enjoying the festive ambience and lighter traffic, drive to the letter of the law. Don't text and drive, drink and drive or take the wheel when sleepy.

2. Leave no valuables in your car, as thieves are more likely to break into cars this time of year.

May everyone survive the holiday safe and sound in order to read more Metro Beijing reports and features in the Year of the Snake.