Safety in Australia

Personal safety

One of the scariest things about moving to a new country can be also one of the most exciting: anonymity.  You probably won’t know too many people when you arrive, if anyone, and being able to feel like you can transform yourself and now become whoever you would like to, a sense of freedom, without family and friends around can be liberating.  Rediscover yourself.

But is important to not lose focus on your personal safety as well, even though Australia is comparatively a safe place to live and visit, with relatively low crime rate, you still need to take the necessary precaution that you would take in any other place too according to the Australian government student guide.  You do not want to feel so free that you feel invisible and nothing bad can happen, that is why is always safe to check your surroundings, not give away personal information and just be aware of everything around you, again, do not lose focus on why you first came to Australia and the educational aspects.

Some general tips to keep you safe are:

• Never carry large amounts of money with you, and if you are do not broadcast it to anyone.  That is why you have a debit card, a bank account and if you need it a credit card.
• Make sure you close all the zippers in your bad so nobody can ever reach in and for women if you can keep you bag in front and not hanging off the back where you can visualize it better is an advantage to you.  And keep your wallet in the same place in your purse so when you go looking for it, you always know exactly where is at.
• Do not walk alone at night.  Walk in a group or use the buddy system.  Worse comes to worse and you do not have to leave, at least not until you have a friend that will keep you company than stay in, cook, organize, find other ways to fill your time.  And if you chose to still go out by yourself at night, stay in areas where usually there are people around, lights, business and movements.
• If you are going out make sure you have enough money for transportation, and a little more if you believe you might need so.
• Walk with confidence.  Be aware of your surroundings, act causal and just observe.
• When using your ATM, prevent others from seeing your PIN number and secure the cast quickly in your bag.  Do not count money on the street nor carry it in your hand.
• Don’t let someone you do not know drive you home, if you are the driver do not offer a lift to someone you do not know neither; you never know what type of person they can turn out to be.
• Make sure to always have your mobile phone somewhere close to you, that it’s always charge or carry a charger with you and have change in case you need to use the pay phone.  However, keep in mind that the emergency number 000 is free from any phone.
• If you are listening to your iPod or music player while in the street, do not turn it up so loud that you cannot hear what is going on around you.
• Always cross the street at a pedestrian sign, also known as a zebra crossing, as well at the traffic light.  Drivers in Australia generally do not expect you have to yield for pedestrians in traffic so be careful where you cross at.

Water safety

There is nothing better than slipping into a cool pool, ocean, beach then on a hot summer day, relaxing, listening to the ocean and sun bathing.  Play it safe by following these steps:

• Always swim between the red and yellow flags at the beach.  It’s the safety zones for swimmers and will avoid you from getting in danger, or be overcome by large rips, undercurrents, rocks, jellyfish and other hazards.
• If you do get caught in a rip, don’t fight it, just float with the current and raise your arm to indicate that you need assistance.
• Obey the orders given by the lifeguards.  
• Do not go swimming if a lifeguard is not on duty is not safe if you do need help.
• If you are swimming in a rive, creed or dam, always check the depth of the water, make sure is not too deep and don’t jump in with out knowing what’s on the bottom like rocks, that might cause serious injuries.
• Never swim if you have been consuming alcohol or any other substances.
• If you are on a boat make sure you have life jackets, even if you are not far away from land.
• Remember water conditions change rapidly.  Just because certain weather condition is one way in the morning doesn’t mean it will be that way later on during the day.
• Do not enter any body of water, from your backyard, pools to the ocean, there are different in characteristics and is dangerous.

For a list of places to visit for great swimming experiences visit  www.austswim.com.au.
 

Home safety

Don’t make breaking into your home easy for thieves; follow these important steps in securing your environment.

• Lock your doors and windows when you go out, is a good idea to have them lock where you are home as well.
• Don’t leave a set of spare keys outside your home, where anybody can find them and get in.
• Be careful about the information you give to strangers over the phone and never leave a message or broadcast that you will not be home during a certain period of time.
• Use deadlocks and door chains if you have them. Or you can always ask your landlord or real estate agent to install them or check the web for more ideas when it comes to locking the doors securely.
• If you house has an alarm system installed, use it, as when you are not home just like when you are home.
• Always prepare an emergency escape pan incase you ever need it.
• Make sure the windows don’t have cracks or the knob on the door is loose and can easily be broken into.
• Don’t leave locks unlocked just because you think you live in a safe neighborhood, it may be true that is safe, but still for precaution do not leave doors unlocked, cars, anything else that a thief could break into.

Fire safety

Smoke alarms

Legislations varies from state to state, but its generally compulsory that fire alarms, smoke alarms are to be installed in the home and depending how big the home is, is how many you will need.  Smoke alarms, is a machine that gets installed and lets out an emit loud sound that protects you from danger.  It takes in the scent of smokes and begins beeping, letting you know something is smoking, and that is the first sign of a fire. It can provide you with enough time to evacuate the location before something worse happens and not only home are recommended to use these symptoms, but business and other locations, anywhere where a fire can begin from.   They run on ordinary batteries that you can buy from any supermarket and for some smoke alarms, when the batteries begin to die it will start beeping occasionally to let you know is time to change them.  Is best to go with a good smoke alarm, and invest in quality than quantity.


Emergency escape plans

You should work out a plan to escape from your home in the event of a fire.  Fires and smoke can cause confusion, anxiety to get out, panic, is crucial to have a plan in case a fire does occur and that everyone in that house hold knows just want to do.  The places to exit and the locations are identified and people won’t be in a state of panic.  More than just ‘stop, drop and roll’, a real escape plan.

Make yourself familiar with any locks or fly screens that might be on these windows and doors so that you can open them quickly.  If you are escaping out a window, check the ground where you will fall if you dare practice it before so you really know what you are getting yourself into, but don’t hurt yourself intentionally.  Call 000 after the evacuation, if you are home and cannot get out.  Never re enter a burning house for any reason, wait out side for help to arrive who are trained in situations like these.


Avoiding home fires

• Check for batteries in your smoke alarm twice a year.  Check it the same day you buy it and if time has gone by make sure that is still working.
• Don’t smoke in bed; don’t light candles all over the home without it being attended. Don’t leave the stove on while you’re not watching it for any reason.  Every night make sure your stove is off and the house is good.
• Be careful when using heaters, electric blankets and open fires during the winters. Don’t drape clothes over heaters and keep them away from your bed.
• Keep tea towels, sponges and paper towels away from burning stove and gas.
• Keep electrical power appliances away from water.
• Don’t overload electrical power outlets and adaptors.
• If you live in an area that is prone to bushfires, keep our gutters and the ground area around your home free from fallen leaves and other debris.

Australia Emergency phone number is 000.  This number is toll free from any land phone and cell phone in Australia.  The Australian government guide for students can also provide more information.  

Upon being in any dangerous, emergency or life treating situation dial this number (000) and you will get you in touch with the police officers, fire fighters (brigade) and or ambulance service; as well if you are witnessing or know about any crime taking place you can also call this number.  

You should not use this service for any non emergency situation.  Example:  If your car has run out of gas and you can not turn it on or move it, please do not call this emergency number.

When you do dial this number you will be connected to an operator, make sure to provide the exact location or landmarks that can help figure out your destination; such as bridges, close restaurants, highways etc.  Be ready to detail the situation you are in and answer any questions to the best of your ability.  It is important to stay calm and to ask for which service you desire; police, fire or ambulance.  

Generally, help will arrive quickly, the best recommendation is to try and stay relax by not doing anything that can put you or someone else in danger, the help arriving has been trained to deal with any emergency situation and will provided assistance rapidly and securely.


Report a crime:

If you are in need of policemen assistance but the situation is not an emergency; example to report a theft or your vehicle has been stolen, contact the police help line in your state or visit the nearest police department.  

In the ACT, New South Wales, Tasmania, Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia,  the number for Police assistance is 131 444, automatically you will connect with the police department of your state.  For residents of Queensland or Victoria you will need to contact your local police station.  


Emergency Services:

For every natural disaster such as, severe floods, storms, bushfires, evacuation, search and rescue, every state and territory in Australia has a State Emergency Service Organization (SES).  This organization works united with police stations, ambulance services and fire fighters.  You can call 132 500 no matter where in Australia for help.  

More tips you can search the student guide from the Australian government.