Your personal safety

The unexpected can happen – no matter how safe you feel.

Taking the time to take a few simple precautions can help you improve your personal safety and make your life more secure.

Having a strong sense awareness of your personal safety is important.

Keeping yourself safe

Keep yourself safe by:

• never giving personal details over the phone
• looking up, staying alert and be aware of your surroundings
• turning down the volume on your earphones
• walking in well-lit and busy areas – avoid unlit streets and unknown places at night
• being assertive and walk with confidence
• walking with a friend or group wherever possible
• considering varying your route if you regularly walk by yourself
• having someone accompany you to your car
• planning ahead, know how you are going to get home
• telling your family, friends and colleagues your whereabouts and when you expect to return – if your plans change, let them know.

The NT Government has some tips and information about improving your personal safety and make your life in the NT more secure.

Your home and valuables

Protect your home and valuables by:

• locking up your valuables, vehicles, windows and doors – even when home
• hiding anything worth of value while you are travelling in your car
• having a list of numbers, you can call in an emergency
• never leaving your valuables unattended or visible in public areas – keep them with you at all times
• making sure your door can be seen clearly from the road
• cutting back shrubbery around the house to ensure natural surveillance
• installing home alarms, CCTV and a door viewer
• keeping your:
  • keys away from communal areas such as the kitchen or hallway
  • home surrounds well-lit at night
  • garden sheds, garages and side gates locked and tools away
  • your post and meter boxes locked
  • cash concealed – don't publicise you have or how much money you have on you
  • handbags and keys out of view.

You can check how safe your home is by using Neighbourhood Watch NT and Victim of Crimes NT's free online assessment tool.

It will help you help you to easily assess your current home security levels and provide personalised advice to improve security in around your home.

Going on holidays

Heading away on holidays?

Make sure a stranger isn't minding your home in your absence.

1. Register your holiday dates with Neighbourhood Watch NT's absentee advice form.
2. Have trusted neighbours keep an eye out and take in your mail and bins.
3. Check your locks are in working order before you leave.

Keep records of personal property

Keep a record of personal property by using Neighbourhood Watch NT's MyVault app.

It's available for use by Android and iOS devices, allowing you too easily:

• record your personal property
• store important information about your property, like taking photos, uploading receipts and adding descriptions
• report a theft or loss of property to Police or your insurer.