Safety in Australia

Personal Safety

It can become overwhelming when living in a new country; your away from family and friends, you can reinvent yourself and do things you never thought you would be bale to do.  However, you still need to take precautions to protect your personal safety, just as you would at home. 

Here are a few general tips:

• Only carry small amounts of cash on you
• Do not go out alone at night
• Be weary of requests from people on the street wanting money
• When withdrawing money, don’t let people see your PIN, take the cash quickly and securely
• Don’t let somebody else drive you home
• When listening to an mp3 player, turn it down so that you can hear what’s happening around you, to be aware of any danger
• Cross the street at a pedestrian crossing, a zebra crossing or at traffic lights

Water Safety

Swimming is a recreation favoured by most Australian people in the warmer months, but it can be dangerous when a few simple guidelines are not followed.  Beaches draw a lot of people and can become very crowded during summer; to avoid beach hazards always swim between the red and yellow flags, do as the lifeguard instructs you to do, and if you get caught in a rip, don’t fight it, float with it and raise your hand so a lifeguard can see you and for this reason, don’t swim at beaches where a lifeguard is not on duty.  Weather conditions in Australia can change quickly, a safe beach in the morning can become a dangerous beach in the afternoon.

When swimming in lakes, rivers and dams always check the depth of water before jumping in, there may be submerged rocks or the water may not be deep enough for jumping.  Always wear a lifejacket when on a boat and don’t go swimming if you can not swim.  There are swimming classes all over Australia that can help you to become more confident in the water.


Home Safety

Just like you personal safety, you will also need to keep your home safe.  You can do this simply by locking windows and doors of your home when you are not there, turn the alarm on (if you have one) and never leave a set of spare keys outside.  Make sure that all smoke alarms are working and  have an emergency escape plan incase of a fire.  Incase of a fire call 000 and the operator will put you through to the fire brigade, you will need to give them your address and stay down low away from the smoke.

Australia is a county unlike any other.  It has a lot of different experiences to encounter; here is a guide of what to expect.