Protecting your personal safety

Everyone wants to feel safe whether it be at home, work, out and about in the community, or travelling. To help protect your personal safety, and to encourage your family, whānau, and friends to keep safe too.

Below are some sensible precautions you can take.

When going out

• If going out for a while, let someone know where you’re going and when you’re expected back.
• Lock your house when you leave it. Keep all your keys somewhere secure, and separate your house and car keys. Don’t put an address on key rings.
• Make sure your phone is fully charged before you head out. Take an extra battery or charger with you. Keep your mobile phone in a place that you can easily each it.
• If possible, keep to main streets and well-lit areas. If you feel unsafe, go to the nearest place where there are people and walk close to them.
• Stay alert and aware of your surroundings – don’t wear your headphones when you’re out alone. Take extra care when crossing roads, including train crossings.
• If you’re going out at night, plan how you’ll get home later. If you need late transport, ask for a ride with someone you know or book a licensed taxi service in advance. Never accept a lift from a stranger.
• Always keep your belongings secure and close to you. Don’t keep valuables in just one place and try to keep them in different pockets or areas of your bag.
• If you feel worried or threatened on public transport, immediately let the driver or someone know.
• Think about carrying a personal safety alarm with you when you’re out. Your local police station can advise you about these.

When using a car

• lock it when you park and keep anything valuable out of sight
• try to park in well-lit, busy streets
• keep your windows up and doors locked when driving
• don’t pick up strangers especially if you’re alone
• if the car breaks down, stay inside, and call family, whānau, or a friend for help, or AA Roadside assistance on 0800 500 222 or *222 from your mobile. If you’re not an AA member you’ll need to pay for this service.
• do not drive when you have been drinking or taking drugs, including prescription drugs that might affect your driving.

When at home

• When someone’s at the door, ask who it is before you open. Don’t answer the door if you don’t know them or don’t want them in your home. Ask to see identification if they say they represent a company. Speak through the door or a nearby window.
• If you’re outside, lock the front and back doors.
• Keep your car locked, even if it’s in your garage.
• Keep a phone near your bed.
• Call a neighbour or friend if anything makes you feel unsafe.

Older, unwell, or physically disabled people might also think about:

• having a personal or medical alarm that you can press in an emergency
• arranging with a neighbour to phone or visit if your curtains are still drawn after a certain time in the morning.

See also Keeping Your Home Safe

In an emergency situation
If you are unsafe and feeling threatened by someone or by a situation, ask for immediate help from people nearby or call 111.

For more advice on staying safe see Be safe, feel safe – for practical safety information from New Zealand Police. See the link below.

Other useful information and websites

Be safe, feel safe - safety information from New Zealand Police