A guide to staying safe while navigating urban hazards

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Sultan Kiani

Living in a metropolitan city is generally perceived as safe. Nevertheless, urban centers also present a range of hazards that can cause serious injuries, illnesses, and deaths. Here’s a guide to navigate living in urban centers in a safe manner.

Megacities in developing countries may face greater safety challenges due to poorly managed civic infrastructure and ineffective law enforcement. Here, we highlight some common public safety and health hazards in urban areas that everyone should recognize to stay safe.

Traffic Accidents

On September 9, 2026, a schoolgirl aged nine riding pillion with her father on a motorcycle was fatally struck by a city bus in Rawalpindi. The incident was attributed to illegal encroachments and careless driving by both the motorbike rider and other road users. Staying safe on the roads is one of the greatest challenges in urban areas, as traffic accidents account for a significant number of hospital emergency visits. Following road safety precautions can reduce your risk of becoming the next victim:

Traffic accidents account for a significant number of hospital emergency visits

• Obeying traffic rules alone may not be enough in countries where enforcement is nearly nonexistent. Defensive behavior, whether driving or walking along the road, is essential for staying safe.

• Avoid walking on roads where footpaths are heavily encroached upon. Do not blindly trust the traffic lights; only cross the road when traffic comes to a full stop. Always use pedestrian bridges wherever available.

• Riding a two wheeled vehicle in chaotic traffic is extremely risky. Even a slight mistake, whether yours or someone else’s, may result in death or lifelong disability. Keep your bike in roadworthy condition, stay fully alert, and ride defensively. Inexperienced riders should avoid busy roads. It is advisable not to take a motorcycle or scooter on highways with heavy traffic. Use alternative transport options, such as carpooling or public transport, whenever possible.

• Although driving a car or a larger vehicle may be comparatively safer, drivers must remain vigilant and protect vulnerable road users. Always drive under the speed limit and watch out for distracted pedestrians and two-wheelers in your blind spots.

Air Pollution

Smog has become a serious public health hazard in developing countries in recent years. Residents of megacities such as New Delhi, Dhaka, Lahore, and Karachi are forced to breathe toxic air at pollution levels that far exceed WHO air quality guidelines. While relocating may not be a practical solution for many, taking simple preventive measures can help reduce exposure to air pollution:

• Wear a suitable face mask and protective glasses when going outdoors during periods of heavy smog.

• Avoid riding a bike or walking long distances to limit your exposure. Keep the car windows rolled up and use the air conditioning in recirculation mode.

• Showering in the evening after returning home can help ease skin and eye irritation.

• Sensitive individuals may need to take antihistamines as prescribed by a qualified physician.

Unhygienic Food and Beverages

Street food is often prepared under unhygienic conditions. It is believed to be a leading cause of food poisoning in urban dwellers. Unlike other hazards, you can easily steer clear of this just by avoiding substandard food and beverages. Prefer home-cooked meals whenever possible and choose only reputable restaurants that maintain reasonable standards of food hygiene.

Uncovered Manholes

This public safety hazard can cause serious injuries and has been known to claim the lives of young children. As the issue remains unaddressed, we must stay alert to avoid further accidents.

Uncovered manholes remain an unaddressed public safety issue

• Watch your step and avoid distractions while walking. Be extra cautious when stepping into puddles of water or walking on unfamiliar roads.

• Use a flashlight when walking at night to spot potential road hazards.

• Never let young children walk alone in streets. Also, teach them to watch for uncovered manholes to stay safe.

• You can report dangerous manholes with broken or missing covers to the Water and Sanitation Agency by dialing the WASA helpline 1334.

Unsafe Construction Sites

On January 28, 2026, a young woman and her daughter, aged nine months, died after falling into an uncovered sewage pit at a construction site. Road repair and construction works in poorly managed cities are often carried out without placing safety barricades to protect the general public. This presents a range of risks, including slips, trips, and falls, as well as being struck by falling objects. Remain aware of your surroundings and steer clear of unprotected construction zones where risks of falling objects and moving heavy machinery may be present. Do not stand or park your vehicle near a construction site, even when no warning signs or barricades are in place.

Faulty Elevators

Elevators (lifts) are crucial components of multistory buildings, offering quick and convenient access between floors. However, these machines remain an underestimated hazard despite being fully capable of causing serious harm. A poorly maintained elevator is a disaster waiting to happen! There have been several cases of accidental deaths involving elevators due to mechanical failures and human negligence. A woman aged 50 died in a recent elevator accident in Ongole (AP), India. The tragedy occurred in August 2026, when a malfunctioning elevator unexpectedly moved as the victim was stepping out, trapping her between the elevator and the floor. While such sudden and unexpected failures remain uncommon and are sometimes unavoidable, staying alert can help lower the risk:

Several fatal accidents involving elevators have been reported

1. Be mindful and watch your step while using the elevator. Avoid standing between the elevator doors. Quickly move away from the doorway as you enter or exit.

2. Never insert your arm, leg, or any object between the elevator’s doors to prevent them from closing. Use only the buttons designed for that purpose, as a safety sensor failure could turn a simple elevator ride into a catastrophe.

3. It is particularly advisable to let someone know before using an elevator in any old or unfamiliar building. This could be helpful in ensuring a timely rescue in case of an emergency.

4. Never use an elevator to escape a building during a fire, an earthquake, or any other emergency.

5. If the elevator is in very poor condition, avoid using it at all and take the stairs instead.

Stray Dog Attacks

Packs of stray dogs are among the telltale signs of poor urban management. A statistical study reported more than 0.5 million dog-bite cases just in Punjab (Pakistan) between January 2024 and March 2026. The following safety measures can be helpful in surviving dog attacks:

Flocks of stray dogs are among the telltale signs of poor urban management

• Watch out for dogs while walking or riding a bike. Recognizing their presence and signs of aggression early can help you avoid them before they attack.

• When you encounter an aggressive dog, stop there and avoid running, as this may trigger a chase that dogs usually win.

• Slowly back away from the dog; avoid sudden movements and close eye contact, which the animal may perceive as threatening.

• Running may be an option only if a safe refuge, such as a vehicle, tree, or a climbable pole, is within immediate reach.

• If the dog is already too close and begins to attack, use a solid object such as a backpack or your bike to defend yourself. Be strong and confident to make yourself appear capable of fighting back. In some cases, simply picking up a rock can make the attacking dog(s) back away.

• Shouting in a commanding tone can not only help deter aggressive dogs but may also alert nearby people who can come to your aid.

• Remember: even a minor dog bite can cause rabies. Always assume that a stray dog is unvaccinated and seek immediate medical attention to get anti-rabies shots.

Street Criminals

Street robberies occur worldwide, but the risks can be greater in cities with inadequate policing. According to a news report, street criminals killed 70 citizens in Karachi alone in 2025. Not having experienced a street crime so far does not mean you never will. Being well prepared can help you stay safe or, at the very least, survive a dangerous encounter:

• Keep your eyes and ears open; better situational awareness can help you recognize potential threats in time to react. Being distracted by your phone or absent-minded can make you an easy target for street criminals.

• Avoid displaying expensive phones, jewelry, watches, or large amounts of cash when using public transport.

• Be careful when travelling through unfamiliar areas. People travelling alone, particularly women, should be extra cautious.

• If you feel that you are being followed by a suspicious person, move immediately to a busy and well-lit area. You may seek help from security personnel if needed.

• When confronted by armed robbers demanding money and valuables, complying with their demands may be your best option to stay safe.

  
  

While citizens can take preventive measures to protect themselves, city administrators have even greater responsibilities to enforce basic safety regulations and improve urban security. Individual precautions alone cannot make our cities completely safe.