This Christmas, we're offering tips on how to stay safe over the festive season. Here are 12 tips for safety and crime prevention to consider for a safe and happy Christmas:
1. Lock doors and windows
Be extra vigilant about locking doors and windows when you leave your home, even if it is just for a few minutes. Make sure your garage door and gate is closed and locked even when you are home.
2. Keep your valuables out of sight
Do not display your property near windows so that they are easily visible from outside of the house. It is recommend taking a walk around outside to see if your valuables are visible through the windows, this may even include the positioning of your Christmas tree.
3. Phishing
With the festive season nearly upon us, ‘tis the season for online scams. Be aware of scammers and be sure to stay alert to all scams, particularly phishing scams. Phishing is the fraudulent practice of sending emails and text messages while impersonating reputable companies, in order to obtain personal information, such as personal data and credit card numbers.
Avoid clicking on links and if you are unsure about the message authenticity, best to delete it and check it by calling the organisation using contact details from a verified website.
If you receive an unsolicited email or text message, consider the possibility that it could be fraudulent. Be especially wary if you have sent gifts or parcels to friends and family, or are expecting parcels to be delivered.
4. Motor vehicle theft
Lock your car and don’t gift your keys to thieves by leaving your car keys where they can be located and stolen by opportunistic thieves, including in your car even if parked in the garage. Lock you car doors especially at home or in the garage to ensure that is not easily accessible for those seeking opportunistic theft. Golden Plains Shire’s HIGHEST crime rate is theft from and of motor vehicles.
5. Online safety
Upcoming school holidays will see children spending more time online. Make sure you and your children are aware of online safety. Avoid sharing too much information on social media about your movements and gifts from Santa that may make your possessions a target.
6. Secure your devices
Now more than ever, it is important to make sure your devices are protected against malware and viruses by installing the latest updates and running up-to-date anti-virus software. Also use a PIN number to protect use from unauthorized people.
7. Gift box disposal
After Christmas day, do not pile up bulky gift boxes in your recycling bin for a passer-by to see. Thieves appreciate knowing that you have expensive gifts inside for them to steal so break the boxes down or cut them up to better conceal the items. The best way to do this is to wet the cardboard and pop it in the recycling bin.
8. Redirect mail
If you are going on holidays, arrange for your mail to be collected or redirected and newspapers collected or cancelled. It is also beneficial to make sure that your lawns and gardens are also well maintained so that a presence is still evident.
9. Hiding spots
Burglars know where to look for the hidden door key near the front entrance. DO NOT hide spare keys under rocks, in flowerpots, under door mats or above door ledges. Instead, consider giving the spare key to a trusted family member, friend, or neighbour.
10. Property security
When you go on holiday, make your home less attractive to burglars by leaving shoes by the front door, asking a neighbour to park their car in your driveway or putting lights on a timer.
Thieves also may steal items of value which can be quickly converted to cash. Some ways to protect your property include making a list of serial numbers, engraving your property, using identification warning stickers and taking photos of your property which can’t be engraved.
11. Personal safety
When it comes to your personal safety, always be alert and aware of your surroundings and act on your instincts. 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. If you see something suspicious, report this to Police.
12. Report
Report any suspicious activity to the Police.
In an emergency or when a crime is taking place call 000.
Call Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or visit the Victoria Police Online Reporting service to report non-urgent crimes and events.
For anonymous reporting call Crime Stoppers online or by phoning 1800 333 000.