Terror drills and awareness.

This past week, the botched anti-terror drill in Strathmore University raised mixed reactions on social media.

Many questions were raised over this matter. Do students, staff and regular employees in organisations go through safety tests when they join these institutions in readiness for a drill or unexpected disaster?

Ever since the Westgate and Garissa university terror attack made headlines, institutions have boosted their security systems.

They have organised security workshops and training for both employees and students. The security drill at Strathmore University, however, went wrong.

Drills are not necessary if they cause injuries and lead to loss of lives. The main purpose of a drill is to endow individuals with skills to use in case of an attack.

Here are some of the basic things one can do incase of an attack:

- Look for an escape route, get out and run. If possible, help others escape too.

- If evacuation is impossible, try and look for a place to hide. Remain as quiet as possible and ensure your mobile phone is off or on silent mode.

- Never run towards the incident scene to see what is happening as there could be an explosion.

- Direct and stop others from going towards the danger zones.

- Call for emergency services.

- If and when your life is at a risk, aggressively fight back in an attempt to disarm the attacker.