Your safety

Australia is a relatively safe and secure place to live and study. It is important to consider your personal safety in relation to where you are, what you are doing and who you are with. It is always good practice to consider your personal safety and to develop a personal safety plan.

Below is a list of things to consider about your own personal safety plan:

On campus

• Save emergency numbers in your mobile phone
• Use the most suitable and well-lit car park near your study area
• Be aware of the nearest public transport point
• Use the safest path walking to and from your study area. Consider how well lit it is.
• Be familiar with your study environment (e.g. location of toilets or nearest public telephone)

Off campus

• Be alert to your surroundings and the people around you, especially if you are alone or it is dark
• Stay in well-lit areas as much as possible
• Walk confidently and at a steady pace
• Do not respond to conversation from strangers on the street or in a car - continue walking
• Be careful with your cash or mobile phone

If you are going out at night remember:

• Think ahead. Consider how you are going to get home. What about pre-booking a taxi or arranging transport with a friend or family member?
• Make sure that you stay with your party and that someone knows where you are at all times.
• If you are socialising in a public place never leave your drink unattended.
• Never hitchhike.

More information on your personal safety

Hitchhiking

A person who waves at unknown drivers from the side of the road to request a ride is called a hitchhiker.

Many crimes have been committed against innocent hitchhikers, including violent personal crimes and abductions. You do not know anything about the person whose car you get into.

Our advice to you is, don’t hitchhike!

House break-ins are one of the most common crimes and appear to be crimes of opportunity with entry gained through an open or unlocked window or door.

Some general tips

• Your house number should be clearly visible from the street in case of an emergency
• Keep your front door locked when you are at the back of the house
• Avoid having parcels left on the door step
• When out, leave a radio or a light on in the evening to give the impression you are home
• Consider taking out contents insurance for your belongings. This will enable you to replace any goods that are lost or damaged as a result of unforeseen circumstances
• Keep cash and valuables out of sight

Internet safety and security

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) provides advice and information about how to protect you and your family from online crime.

The eSafety website has specific information for university students on being safe online.

• When you meet someone new, be cautious until you get to know the person better and feel you can trust them.
• If a stranger starts talking to you, they are probably just being friendly.
• Be safe, and don’t give them any of your personal details like your full name, your phone number or your address.
• With people you don’t know well, always arrange to meet them in a public place like a café or a park, instead of inviting them to your home or going to theirs.
• Remain cautious with people even from your own home country, crimes against international students are sometimes committed by people from their own culture.

Travelling on public transport should be a safe and comfortable experience. Numerous security measures have been adopted to maximise the safety of travellers including: security officers, police, guards, help points, good lighting and security cameras. Most drivers also have two-way radios and can call for assistance.

Buses

Waiting for a bus:

• Avoid isolated bus stops.
• At night, wait in well-lit areas and near other people.
• Check timetables to avoid long waits.

Riding on the bus, train and trams

• Sit as close to the bus driver as possible.
• Stay alert and be aware of the people around you.
• If someone bothers you, change seats and tell the driver.
• Keep your purse/packages close by your side.
• Check your purse/wallet if someone is jostling, crowding or pushing you.
• If you see any suspicious activity, inform the driver.

Taxis

• Where possible, book a taxi over the phone as the driver’s details will be recorded and take note of the driver’s ID number that should be displayed on the front dash. Sit in the rear seat of the taxi.
• Be conscious of your surroundings. If you are concerned with the route being taken to your destination or if something doesn’t feel right, ring a friend and tell them where you are and the taxi number.
• If you feel uncomfortable or in fear for your safety direct the driver to stop, leave the vehicle and seek assistance.
• Decline offers to share a fare with a stranger.

For more information visit SA Police.

Sexual assault is a criminal offence. It includes sexual harassment, unwanted touching, indecent assault and penetration of any kind. It is important to remember that it can happen to anyone and at any time but certain precautions may make it more difficult for a possible perpetrator.

There is no place for sexual assault or sexual harassment at Flinders University.

Visit Safety and Respect at Flinders.

What do I do if I am assaulted?

It is very difficult to tell someone that you have been sexually assaulted. It is important to remember that sexual assault is a serious crime and can happen to people regardless of their gender or sexuality. Your first point of contact should be the police or your closest sexual assault service. Yarrow Place is a leading public health agency responding to adult rape and sexual assault in South Australia. The contact details are:

Yarrow Place
64 Pennington Terrace, North Adelaide 5006
Tel: 8226 8777 (business hours) or 8226 8787 (after hours)
Email: info@yarrowplace.sa.gov.au

Emergency After Hours 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Toll Free 1800 817 421

National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service: Toll Free 1800 737 732 (1800RESPECT)

The following fire safety tips will help you reduce the chance of fire in your accommodation.

Smoke alarms

Smoke alarms are devices that detect smoke and sound an alarm. Smoke alarms alert and wake people allowing valuable time to get out of a house during a fire. For your protection, a smoke alarm must be installed in your home. If your residence does not have one, contact your landlord.

Only working smoke alarms save lives!

• Once a month you should check the battery by pressing the test button on the smoke alarm.
• Keep the smoke alarm clean. Dust and debris can interfere with their operation.
• When the battery is low the smoke alarm will sound a short ‘BEEP’ every minute or so. Replace your battery.
• If cooking and smoke sets off the alarm, do not disable it. Turn on the range fan, open a window or wave a towel near the alarm.

More information.

Electricity

The safe use of electricity assists in preventing house fires.

• Use a single extension cord rather than joining shorter cords.
• Be careful to keep electrical appliances away from water.
• Computers, monitors and TVs can overheat and cause fires even when not in use. They should be turned off after each session.
• Light globes can become very hot. It is dangerous to cover a lamp with any type of fabric. To dim a lamp it is recommended that a lower wattage globe is used.

Heaters

Some safety tips:

• Read and follow the operating instructions for your heater.
• All clothes and curtains should be at least one metre from the heater.
• Turn off all heaters before you leave your room or go to bed.

Candles, oil burners and cigarettes

Candles, oil burners and cigarettes can all be dangerous fire hazards.

• Do not smoke in bed.
• Dampen cigarette butts before putting them in the rubbish.
• Make sure your candles are on properly designed candle holders.
• Don’t leave your room when a candle or oil burner is alight.
• Don’t go to sleep when a candle or oil burner is alight.
• Do not put candles or oil burners near windows; be careful, curtains can catch fire easily.

Cooking

Most house fires start in the kitchen.

• Prepare food only in the kitchen.
• Always stay in the kitchen while food is cooking.
• Hot oils and fats catch fire easily.
• Don’t use water to put out an oil fire.
• Use a dry powder extinguisher, fire blanket or saucepan lid to extinguish, if safe to do so.
• Turn off the cooking appliance before you leave the room or go to bed.

The Home Fire Safety Fact Sheet has more information.

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. By minimising your exposure to the sun’s damaging ultraviolet radiation (UVR), you can protect your skin and prevent the development of skin cancer.

Visit the Cancer Council for tips and information on being sun smart.

Consider learning to swim if you enjoy the beach.

Visit South Australian Water Safety for information on staying safe in our waters.

Australia has many extraordinary and beautiful places to explore.  If you are going on a trip, travel with other people, make sure someone knows where you are at all times and stay on a road or a walking track.

In the bush

Be prepared if you plan some time in our bush land. Plan your hike. Always tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to return. Let them know when you return safely.

For safety information and trails and national parks visit National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Bushfire

Bushfires are common occurrences in Australia during our often long hot summers. Be bushfire ready, create your own bushfire plan. Visit the South Australian Country Fire Service for information on being bushfire safe.

Storms can happen anywhere and at any time of the year. Severe storms can cause major damage. They may be accompanied by torrential rain and strong winds. Storms can cause flash flooding, and damage trees and power lines.

The State Emergency Service (SES) is responsible for managing the clean-up and assisting people during and after a storm.

Dangerous plants and animals

• If you are visiting any of Australia’s beautiful parks or forests:
• Be wary of animals in their natural habitat. Be very careful about approaching any injured animals, such as koalas, kangaroos or possums. They are likely to bite and scratch if you attempt to touch or move them.
• Never feed or play with wildlife. Native animals are timid by nature, however, having been provided food from people, they may become aggressive in pursuit of food. You may get bitten or scratched.
• Watch this youtube video for more information.

Bites and stings

The majority of insects in Australia are not harmful to humans. Some insects bite and sting if they are threatened so it is best to avoid touching them.

The Australia-wide Poisons Information Centres have a common telephone number: 131 126.

In the case of an allergic reaction to bites or stings, medical attention should be sought immediately. Call a doctor or hospital for guidance, or for an ambulance:

• Telephone 000
• Mobile: 112
• Text call emergency —  for TTY or ASCII Dial: 106

General first aid for bites and stings

For bites or stings from the following creatures, seek first aid assistance straight away and stay as calm and immobile as possible:

• All species of Australian snakes, including sea snakes
• Funnel web and Red back spiders
• Blue-ringed octopus
• Cone shell stings

For first aid response visit the Poisons information centre.