Self support
From personal safety, to staying safe online, protecting your home from intruders, or protecting yourself from fraud, there are a number of things you can do to keep safe.
Keeping yourself safe
There are a number if things you can do to protect yourself while out and about:
- Let friends and family know when and where you are going and what time you are likely to be back
- Stick to well-lit areas
- If you are walking alone avoid dark and unlit areas, consider carrying a personal alarm
- Don't accept lifts from strangers only just authorised public transport
- Keep your valuables in different pockets or areas of your bag
- Be aware of your surroundings
Protecting yourself from fraud
There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from fraud:
- Keep your personal information safe
- Never give anyone your PIN or National Insurance number
- Shred all correspondence that contain your personal details
- Change your passwords regularly and make them as complex as you can remember
- Install anti-virus protection your devices
- Be vary of 'cold callers' who attends your doorstep or over the phone where you haven't asked for contact
- Report fraud to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040
Keeping your home safe
There are some practical steps you can take to protect your home:
- Always lock your door, even when you are at home
- Keep windows closed and locked
- Keep valuables out of sight
- Don't let burglars know you are away, avoid putting your trip on social media.
- Don't leave a spare key in an obvious place, like under a plant pot. Instead, leave with a trusted friend/neighbour
- Consider timers for lights or ask a trusted neighbour to open and close curtains Consider extra security such as CCTVs or alarms
Keeping safe online
Online crime is a growing crime but there are a number of things you can do to protect yourself:
- Ensure that your computer and mobile devices have a standard firewall and updated antivirus protection
- Change your passwords regularly and have different passwords for each site you visit
- Only use secure websites - look for the padlock symbol in the search bar
- If an email looks suspicious or you don't know who its from delete it without opening it
- Talk to children about internet safety
- If children are using the internet install a child safety option to stop them accessing inappropriate content