 |
 |
Personal safety
It's important to look after yourself and be aware of threats to your safety. This could be when you are out and about, on the phone or on the internet. This page gives some golden rules about keeping safe in different situations. Much of this advice comes from Avon and Somerset Police and their Essential Guide to Street Awareness.
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust www.suzylamplugh.org also provides information and advice on personal safety. Call 020 7091 0014
Personal safety on the street
Here are seven golden rules for improving your personal safety when you are out:
1. BEWARE OF STRANGERS - THERE'S UNTOLD DANGER!
Not everyone you meet can be trusted.
You can avoid a lot of potential problems by following these simple steps:
| |  | don't take lifts from strangers | | | | if an offer made to you sounds too good to be true, it probably is! | | | | don't be bullied into doing things you know are dangerous or wrong | | | | let family and friends know where you are and what time you'll be home |
2. DON'T FLASH YOUR MOBILE PHONE
Two basic rules:
| | | keep your phone out of sight
| | | | keep it charged and in credit in case you get into trouble
|
Mark your phone on the outside where it can be seen and on the inside where it might not get spotted. Also record the following details and keep them safe:
| | | SIM card number | | | | serial number (just dial *#06#) | | | | telephone number |
If your mobile is lost or stolen you should call your network direct or the Immobilise Database www.immobilise.com on 08701 123 123 (this gets the phone blocked on every network).
3. STASH YOUR CASH AND VALUABLES
| | | don’t flash cash and valuables around | | | | look around when you go to a cashpoint machine | | | | hide your wallet and only carry minimal cash | | | | be careful with your handbag and keep it facing the wall | | | | flashy watches and jewellery should be left at home for a night on the town
|
4. DON'T GO SOLO
| | | stick with your friends - there's safety in numbers! | | | | even as a group, do not get into the car of a total stranger | | | | do not feel you are invincible. Always look to avoid trouble! | | | | moderate your behaviour so you are not intimidating or troublesome to others |
5. DRINKING IMPAIRS YOUR THINKING
| | | drinking too much impairs your judgement about people and situations | | | | keep your wits about you in pubs, bars and clubs | | | | beware of people secretly "spiking" your drink | | | | don't walk around the streets in a drunken state - you will be vulnerable to attack! |
6. AVOID TEMPTING SHORT-CUTS
| | | don't be tempted by dark alleys or quiet streets (especially at night) | | | | plan your route carefully | | | | appearing lost or vague about your surroundings sends off strong signals to criminals on the look out for easy prey. Look confident and in control of your situation!
|
7. KEEP IN TOUCH WHEN YOU'RE OUT
| | | inform family and friends where you are going and what time you will be back | | | | take your mobile, make sure it's fully charged and has enough credit for a couple of calls | | | | inform people if your plans change or you'll be home later than expected |
Internet and mobile phone safety
The internet, email and mobile phones offer great opportunities to keep in touch with people, make new friends and find out about all sorts of things.
But each can also bring certain dangers and nuisances. When using this technology make sure you stay safe.
MOBILE PHONES
The latest mobile phones are a bit like portable PCs with the internet at your finger tips. They can be used to take photos and make mini film clips. You can then email these images to friends and family.
When you do this remember how:
| | | images can be easily manipulated and put onto websites
| | | | images can be sent to other people without the consent of the person being photographed |
How would you like this done to you? Are you doing it to other people? Done wrongly this can be a form of bullying or it can become dangerous or illegal.
Think U Know www.thinkuknow.co.uk tells you about the potential dangers when you are online or using your phone.
CHAT ROOMS
You can't see the person you contact on-line. This means you have no idea if they are who they say they are. Everyone you meet in a chat room is a stranger even though they might seem like a friend.
Make sure you:
| | | never reveal any personal details (such as email or phone details) that would allow someone to contact you outside the chat room. | | | | always stay in the public area of a chat room where everyone can see the conversation. You should be safer that way | | | | never arrange to go alone to meet anyone you have met over the Internet. If you do meet an online friend, take an adult with you and meet in a public place. |
Remember to make sure you respect the privacy of people you meet in chat rooms and always be careful when you post a profile.
Chatdanger www.chatdanger.com informs you about the risks, together with safety tips, when you are using chatrooms, instant messenger, online games, email, and mobiles.
UNSUITABLE WEB CONTENT
It is easy to stumble across information, or images, on the web that may upset you. Some of this material might be unsuitable, incorrect, illegal or even dangerous.
You can report this by through web sites such as Think U Know www.thinkuknow.co.uk and the Internet Watch Foundation www.iwf.org.uk
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre www.ceop.gov.uk is part of the police and protects children and young people from sexual abuse
Protecting your personal property
You may own all sorts of items that you either just use at home or take out and about with you. These could include:
| | | mobile phones | | | | laptops | | | | TVs | | | | DVD players | | | | ipods | | | | digital cameras | | | | bikes |
To protect your property against theft, or to improve the chances of getting it back should it be stolen, you could:
| | | mark your property with a special UV pen
| | | | register your property at www.immobilse.com. This is suitable for any item that has a make, model or serial number (including mobile phones, laptops, bikes, ipods, cameras, TVs and many other things). The police can access your information and return stolen property to you |
|
|
|
