A sense of personal safety and security is important to all of us, consider the following in regards to your own safety and security of your property.

Out and about

• Be alert, walk confidently and keep to well-lit and populated areas.
• Walk against the flow of traffic and if possible, walk with another person and carry a personal safety alarm or mobile phone.
• Let someone know where you are going and the time you will return.
• If you feel unsafe, head for a well-populated area.
• Be wary if someone in a car stops and asks you for directions. Keep a safe distance from the car.
• Be aware of your increased vulnerability when wearing personal headphones.

view the SAPOL 'Personal Safety Booklet'

ATM banking

• Do not use ATMs in isolated or dark locations and avoid withdrawing large amounts of money.
• Memorise your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Do not write it down and do not let anyone see you enter your PIN.
• If you feel unsafe at an ATM and you have already keyed in your details, press the CANCEL key and remove your card.
• If you lose your card, report it immediately to your financial institution.

Celebrations

• Organise safe transport to and from the venue before going out.
• Stay with your friends and look after each other.
• Set a drinking limit for yourself, stick to it and have soft drink or water between alcoholic drinks.
• Say “No” when you have had enough to drink, don’t let others top up your drink.

Personal property

• Don’t carry large amounts of money and never display how much money you have in your wallet or purse.
• Keep your bag, wallet and mobile phone where you can see them at all times and don’t leave them unattended. When shopping use the child safety harness to help secure your handbag to the trolley.
• Carry your bag securely on the side furthest from the road. Never let the strap hang loosely.
• Shoulder strapped bags should be worn across your body. If someone attempts to grab your bag, it is best to let go, to avoid injury.
• Secure your bag in your car before loading or unloading your shopping.

For further crime prevention tips please visit: https://www.police.sa.gov.au/your-safety/crime-prevention-and-security

To reduce the opportunity for thieves to gain entry into your home, consider the following crime prevention security tips:

• Ensure appropriate keyed locks are fitted to all doors and windows.
• Even when you are outside, be sure to lock all doors and windows.
• Lock gates, garages and sheds when not in use.
• House keys, car keys and garage remote controls should be kept in a safe location.  Thieves may use them to gain entry to your home or to steal your car.
• Install and activate an alarm system.
• Keep trees and bushes in front of doors and windows trimmed to avoid being used as hiding places.
• Lock all garden tools and ladders away securely so they cannot be used to break into your home.
• Don’t leave valuables in obvious places. Thieves often target jewellery in jewellery boxes on bedroom dressers and other valuables in bedside drawers and cupboards.
• Break down packaging of expensive items and place it in your bin. Don’t leave it next to your bin on the street.
• Lock your meter box to prevent thieves interfering with your power supply (contact your local electricity provider for more information).

To help prevent thieves targeting your vehicle and property, consider implementing these security tips:

• Lock your vehicle doors and close all windows.
• Install an alarm or immobiliser and activate it every time you leave your vehicle.
• At night park your vehicle in a well-lit area.
• Park off the road and if possible in a locked garage.
• Use secure car parking facilities where available.
• Remove all valuables from your vehicle. If you can’t, then conceal them in the boot before arriving at your destination.
• Avoid leaving your property in the glove box or centre console – this is the first place thieves look.
• Mark or engrave your property with your driver’s licence number prefixed by the letter ‘S’ for South Australia.
• Record the make, model and serial number of electronic equipment, such as GPS devices, laptops and mobile phones.
• Remove registration papers from your vehicle to prevent thieves identifying your home and easily disposing of your vehicle.
• Do not place hand bags, wallets or other valuable items on the passenger seat where they could be easily grabbed.
• Remove your keys from the ignition even if you are gone for a short time.
• At home, don’t leave your keys on the kitchen bench or where they can be easily seen by thieves.  Keep them in a safe place out of view.
• Mark key tags with your phone number. Never include your name and address.
• Do not hide a spare set of keys on or in your vehicle.
• Secure your number plates with specialized one-way Plate Safe screws.  The screws lock in place to prevent number plates from being removed and make it extremely difficult for offenders to remove your number plates.

Public transport

• Become familiar with your regular transport timetable and check it to limit waiting time.
• Stand in well-lit areas near other people and sit with other passengers or close to the driver.
• Always keep a firm hold on your personal belongings.
• If you are travelling alone at night arrange to be met or collected at your stop.
• If the behaviour of someone is offensive or illegal, tell the driver and contact the police.
• Where possible, book a taxi over the phone as the driver’s details will be recorded and take note of the driver’s ID number that should be displayed on the front dash.  Sit in the rear seat of the taxi.
• Be conscious of your surroundings. If you are concerned with the route being taken to your destination or if something doesn’t feel right, ring a friend and tell them where you are and the taxi number.
• If you feel uncomfortable or in fear for your safety direct the driver to stop, leave the vehicle and seek assistance.
• Decline offers to share a fare with a stranger.

Driving

• At night, park your car in a well-lit area and keep your car windows up and doors locked.
• Have your keys or remote entry ready before approaching your car.
• If you are concerned about your safety when returning to your car, ask a person you trust to walk with you.
• Avoid placing bags and wallets on the passenger seat where they could be easily grabbed.
• Do not respond to aggressive behaviour from other drivers. Avoid eye contact and concentrate on the road and never pick up hitchhikers.
• If you think you are being followed, drive to a police station or a populated area. Don’t drive to your home address.
• Make sure you have enough fuel to reach your destination and your car is serviced regularly to avoid breakdowns.
• If your car should break down in an isolated area, activate the hazard lights, sit inside the car with the windows rolled up, the doors locked and call for assistance. Never go with strangers and stay with your car.

Holidays are a time to relax, visit family and friends and spend time outdoors. Whether you are staying in a hotel, motel, hostel, caravan park or at a campsite, please consider the following safety and security tips to have a happy holiday.

GOING ON HOLIDAY?

• Lock all doors, windows and gates before leaving and take spare keys with you.
• Use automatic timers to turn on lights and radios. Tune to talkback programs, as it gives an impression of people being at home.
• Leave your curtains and blinds partially open. People will not be able to see straight in and you will create doubt about whether someone is home.
• Cancel all your regular deliveries.
• Hang some old clothes on your clothes line.
• Turn your phone and doorbell volume to low. * Never leave a holiday message on your answering machine or voicemail.
• Ask a friend or trusted neighbour to: park their car in your driveway and collect your mail or organise for Australia Post to hold your mail, put out and bring in your rubbish bins on collection day, listen for your alarm and leave emergency contact details and a spare set of keys with them with instructions on what to do if your alarm is activated.

ACCOMMODATION SECURITY

• Be aware of your new surroundings and take note of emergency plans.
• Ensure all doors and windows are locked, even when going out for a short time.
• Secure valuable items in a safe. If there is no safe, take them with you.
• Take your keys with you. Do not hide them.

VEHICLE SECURITY

• Keep your keys in a safe location. Do not hide them in your car, caravan or boat.
• Remove valuable items such as GPS devices, mobile phones, laptops and cameras.
• Secure and lock all doors and windows.
• Remove fishing rods, tackle boxes and valuables from boats and trailers.
• Securely attach trailers and boats to a vehicle or a solid fixture when not in use.

PERSONAL SAFETY

• Always tell your family and friends of your travel plans and provide them with your itinerary so they know where you are and how to contact you in an emergency.
• Where possible, travel with a friend or in a group.
• Maintain regular contact with your family or friends, so they know you are safe.
• Keep your mobile phone charged and in your possession, as you may require it in an emergency.
• Don’t carry large amounts of money. Only carry what you need for the day.
• Walk confidently and keep to well-lit and populated areas. Use the appropriate pedestrian crossings and footpaths and walk against the flow of traffic.
• Never hitchhike or accept a ride with strangers.

ROAD SAFETY

• Plan your trip. Drive on major roads and don’t take shortcuts.
• Make sure your vehicle is road worthy and you have sufficient fuel.
• Interstate and overseas visitors must carry a current driver’s licence when driving in South Australia.
• Always drive with your doors locked.
• Never pick up hitchhikers.
• In Australia, you must drive on the left-hand side of the road.
• When driving long distances, share the driving and stop for at least 15 minutes every two hours.
• On open roads the speed limit in South Australia is 100 km/h unless otherwise signposted.
• In built-up areas the speed limit in South Australia is 50 km/h unless otherwise signposted.
• You and your passengers must wear a seatbelt.
• Do not exceed the prescribed concentration of alcohol for your class of driver’s licence (0.05 for holders of a full driver’s licence).
• It is an offence to drive a motor vehicle whilst being under the influence of a drug, or having a prohibited drug in your oral fluid or blood.
• It is an offence to drive whilst using a mobile phone.
• You must wear an approved helmet that is correctly fitted and fastened when riding motor bikes, bicycles and wheeled recreational devices such as rollerblades, skateboards and scooters.