Personal safety

Being an international student in Australia can be exciting but also scary if you’ve never visited another country. Also, because you probably won’t know too many people when you arrive (or perhaps you won’t know anybody at all), this can you a feeling of freedom like you’ve never had, it also gives you anonymity. Sometimes, you can feel like a new person, with the opportunity to be whoever you want to be. This can be a real time for discovery, but it can also make you less inhibited as a result of not having your family and friends around you. This can be good or not so good. For example, you might do things that you wouldn’t dare do at home. So, be aware that while you are in Australia, don’t lose your focus on your personal safety. Australia, by world standards, is a comparatively safe place to live and study (i.e. it has a relatively low crime rate); however, you still should take the necessary precautions to protect yourself—just like you would at home.

Here are a few general suggestions to help keep you safe while you study in Australia:

• Close your handbag or backpack securely (or with a lock) to ensure thieves can’t reach in and steal your purse or wallet, mobile phone, keys, iPod, etc.
• Don’t carry large amounts of money with you. Keep most of your money in the bank which you can access via your ATM card.
• Walk in a group and stay in well-lit areas.
• Don’t walk alone at night.
• Have enough money for a taxi if you’re out late at night. Otherwise, stay close to the driver on public transport and travel with friends.
• Keep your mobile recharged and on you at all times in case of an emergency. Dial 000 if you need urgent assistance.
• Take a self-defense course.
• Learn to walk with confidence.
• Be cautious of casual requests from strangers on the street if they ask for the time or money for a bus ticket. Not all requests are genuine.
• Keep your ATM PIN number secure and secret.
• Secure your cash quickly in your bag when you withdraw it from an ATM. Don’t count your money on the street. And try to withdraw money in the daytime and in safe well-lit public places.
• Don’t accept rides from people you do not know.
• Do not hitch-hike.
• If you drive, don’t offer strangers or hitch-hikers a lift.
• Have spare change on you in case you need to use a public phone.
• Note that you can call 000 emergency call for free from any phone or mobile.
• Try to turn the sound level down on your iPod while on the street. You’ll be able hear oncoming cars, trucks, buses and trams as you cross the street better. You’ll also be able to pay attention to people approaching from behind.
• Cross the street at pedestrian crossings only (also known as a zebra crossing) or at traffic lights with pedestrian signals. Also, note that pedestrians usually give way to drivers.  

Water safety

Australia is known for its love of surf, swimming and water sports. After a hot day, there’s nothing better than slipping into a cool pool, river, lake or ocean in summer.
You too can enjoy your time in Australian waters by practicing these safety tips:

• At beaches, the red and yellow flags show the areas where Australian Lifeguards are patrolling. Be sure to always swim between the red and yellow flags at the beach. This is the safest area for swimmers at a beach. You’ll avoid dangers like rips, rocks, reefs, undercurrents, jellyfish and other hazards if you swim in these areas.
• Remember, if you do get caught in a rip, don’t fight it. Just float with the current and raise your arm to indicate that you need assistance. A Lifeguard will rescue you.
• Always obey the orders given by Lifeguards on the beach. They are very well-trained at their task and so, by complying with their requests, you’ll be safer and more able to enjoy the beach.
• Don’t swim at beaches when there are no Lifeguards on duty. Especially before dawn or after dusk.
• Be extremely careful if you’re swimming in a river, creek or dam. Always and frequently check the water depth first. Also, check for submerged hazards like rocks or logs.
• NEVER dive into water without first checking the water depth. You could suffer a severe spinal injury.
• Alcohol and swimming don’t mix. So, if you intend to swim, don’t drink alcohol.
• When boating, always wear a life jacket, even if you are not that far from land.
• In Australia, water conditions can change quickly from morning, midday to afternoon. Pay attention to changes and adjust your swim accordingly (i.e. stay close to land or only go knee deep in the water if it’s a rough day).
• NEVER enter any body of water, (from backyard pools to the ocean, rivers to dams and everything in between) if you don’t know how to swim! In Australia, you can take lessons from a certified instructor at many local pools. Visit www.austswim.com.au for more details.

Home safety

In general, Australia is a very safe country with low rates of crime. But crime still occurs. So, don’t be complacent about your safety. Take measures to protect yourself and belongings at all times. Be safe at home. Take precautions to make your home safe from thieves.

To help you with your home safety, here are some basic steps to follow:

• Lock all your doors and windows when you go out. Also, lock them when you’re at home as well, even if you’re apartment is well above street level. Thieves can still climb up into high apartments.
• Never leave a set of spare keys outside your house.
• Be careful about the information you provide to strangers over the phone or in person.
• Never leave an answering machine message stating you aren’t home or on holidays.
• Use either deadlocks and/or door chains if you have them. Ask your landlord or real estate agent to install them if you don’t have these already.
• Use your house alarm if you have one.
• Prepare for an emergency escape route and plan in case of life threatening situations, such as a fire.
• Keep your mobile phone on you at all times in case you need to call emergency services.

Fire safety and smoke alarms

Although legislation varies in each state, smoke alarms are usually compulsory for all houses and units. So, whenever you intend to stay in Australia, check that your place is fitted with a working smoke alarm. These devices are designed to detect fire smoke. They can be very sensitive and emit a loud and distinctive alarm. If the alarm sounds, you should check to see if a fire danger is present and then evacuate the premises with all other occupants and pets and call 000 for the fire department if the fire can not be contained and extinguished. Smoke alarms can provide you with precious time to evacuate from a burning house. Also, because they run on ordinary batteries, you’ll need to change them and test them twice a year. Replace batteries immediately if they are not working.


Emergency escape plans

You should work out an escape plan from your home in the event of a fire. Often, when there’s a fire, people can become confused and panic in the smoke. You should know ahead of time the safest route to get out of your house so you can increase your chance of avoiding injury. Here are some tips to keep you safe:

• Draw a floor plan of your house: work out at least two escape routes from each room (for example a window and a door). Then make yourself familiar with any locks or fly screens that might be on these windows and doors so that you can open them quickly and exit. Also, if you are escaping via a window, examine the ground outside for hazards and clear them away.
• Discuss the plan with anyone you will be living with so that everyone is aware of what to do in an emergency.
• Have a pre-arranged meeting place on the street-side away from your house so that you know everyone is safe.
• You should call 000 after evacuation from your home via a mobile phone or from a neighbour’s house.
• NEVER re-enter a burning house for any reason. Stay from the outside of the house and wait for the fire brigade to arrive.
• If there’s a lot of smoke and you can’t see well, it sometimes helps to crawl beneath the smoke (as smoke rises).

Tips on how to avoid home fires

Check your smoke alarm twice a year. Ensure the batteries are working. (To help you remember when to check the alarms, the fire brigade recommends that you check your alarms on the same day that you turn your clocks forward or backwards for the beginning and end of daylight saving time).

• Never smoke in bed.
• Be extra careful when using electric blankets, heaters, and open fires in winter.
• Never drape clothes over heaters.
• Keep heaters away from your bed. (Fires often start in winter when blankets are kicked over heaters while people are sleeping).
• Never leave burning candles when you leave the room.
• Take care around gas stoves. Keep tea-towels, sponges and paper towels away from burning open flames.
• Keep electrical appliances and gadgets away from water.
• Avoid overloading electrical power outlets and adaptors.
• If you live areas in or near well-known bushfire sites, keep your gutters and the ground area around your home free from fallen leaves and other debris.