Top tips for safe online shopping:
– Use only reputable shopping sites which you know.
– Remember that paying by credit card offers greater protection.
– Double check details of your purchase before confirming payment.
– Do not reply to unsolicited emails from companies you don’t know, don’t click on links or open attachments in such emails.
– Before entering payment card details on a website, ensure that the page is secure.
-Do not make payment using an unsecured Wi-Fi connection, including those in public places like cafes, bars and hotel rooms.
– Choose strong passwords and keep them to yourself.
– Don’t pay by bank transfer. If it’s a fraud, you will get no refund.
– Always log out of shopping websites after completing your payment.
– Keep receipts, and check credit card and bank statements.
– Always have effective and updated internet security software loaded.
– Make sure new phones, tablets, etc. are protected by a PIN.
Top tips for a safe night out:
– Don’t be tempted to drink too much beforehand. People who preload are prone to injure themselves and become involved in violent crime.
– Have something to eat before a night out and drink water regularly.
– Don’t become vulnerable by getting too drunk – know your limits.
– Stay with friends; look out for one other; ensure all get home safely.
– Arrange rendezvous times in case you get separated from friends.
– Pre-book safe transport home; do not accept lifts from strangers.
– Save the number of a licensed taxi firm in your mobile phone; always check the driver’s identification; never get into an unlicensed taxi.
– Avoid walking alone; never walk through alley-ways or open spaces.
– Stash some cash in case you lose your purse or wallet.
– Store an ICE (in case of emergency) number in your phone.
– Don’t leave your drinks unattended – even soft drinks get spiked.
– Driving after drinking can lead to tragedy; don’t drink & drive.
Top tips to reduce the chances of burglary:
- LOCK
– Lock all doors and remove the keys before leaving the house. This limits the amount of escape routes available to burglars.
– Keep front doors locked even when you are at home and especially if you are in the back garden.
– Close all windows fully before you leave the house, lock downstairs windows and remove the keys.
– Use window limiters to allow air in instead of keeping windows fully open, even when you’re at home.
– Install window locks on upstairs windows that can be easily accessed by a flat roof.
– Lock back gates using a sturdy lock (closed shackle padlock).
- LIGHT
– Leave low-energy lights on timers around the house and keep a radio on to make it seem as though someone is home.
– ‘Dusk-to-dawn’ sensored security lighting is a cheap, low cost way of making sure the front of your home or shed is well-lit.
– Burglars often prefer to work in the dark to avoid detection. Stop burglars from hiding in your driveway and paths by installing an ambient security light that will not disturb neighbours.
– Visible burglar alarms can make burglars think twice; get specialist advice and consult your insurance company.
– Hedging and shrubs to the front of your property should be pruned to no higher than 1m and trim trees up from the ground to 2m. This will allow a clear line of sight across your property and will stop the garden being used as a hiding place.
- HIDE
– Keep your valuables, jewellery, cash, passport and deeds to your property in a safe.
– Never leave spare keys in an open place. Hide away to prevent them being stolen.
– Keep dustbins and wheelie-bins away from fencing/gates as these can be used by thieves to climb into windows or used to escape.
– Make sure valuables are property marked. Take photographs and keep a note of any serial numbers.
– Don’t leave equipment and tools lying around that can be used by burglars to break into your home, such as hammers, shovels or gardening tools. Keep ladders locked away and out of sight.
Remember ‘crime cannot flourish in a community that cares’.
Gerry Blake (Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator)
