Holiday Home Security

How secure is your home this Christmas?

A house left empty is a prime target for intruders because they have less chance of being disturbed and the offence can go undetected for days or even weeks.

A good neighbour can be as effective as a police patrol in protecting your home while you’re away.

When you go on holidays, don’t leave any clues that will tempt an intruder.

Advise your local police if you are going on holiday and leave your contact details.

Give your home a “lived in” look by doing the following:

·                     Ask neighbours to watch for visitors but not say you are away

·                     Ask them to mow your lawn and collect your mail

·                     Cancel deliveries

·                     Secure your garbage bin

·                     Install electrical timers that automatically switch on lights and tune your

                   radio to talk-back program

·                     Install self-activating external lights

·                     Turn down the volume of your telephone ringer and don’t leave a message on

                   your answering machine to say you are away

·                     Check the yard to ensure no ladders or tools are accessible

(Source: 11^th edition North Brisbane District Crime Bulletin)

Stay safe while enjoying the festive season

Police have advised that they will be out in force this Christmas so please consider how you celebrate this festive season.

If you are going to be drinking alcohol or are with friends who are, police advice is to consider the following:

·                     Plan how to get home safely. If you plan to drive, DON’T DRINK

·                     Plan ahead and determine how many drinks you will have and stick to the plan.

·                     Eat before and during drinking to slow the absorption of alcohol into your
                      bloodstream (Avoid Salty Foods)

·                     Alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (water)

·                     Avoid shouts – drink at your own pace

·                     Avoid mixing drinks

·                     Avoid top-ups – finish each drink before you start another

·                     Don’t leave the venue with people you don’t know or trust

·                     Avoid situations that may lead to confrontation or conflict

It is important to note that various drink serves are not all equal to one “standard drink” and take this into account when considering how many “standard drinks” you have consumed.

The orange numbers on the below chart indicate the actual number of “standard drinks” in various servings of alcohol. For example, an average restaurant glass of red wine is actually the equivalent of 1.6 standard drinks.

  

(Source:  North Brisbane District Crime Bulletin 11^th edition)

Can you help? Break and enter at Stafford Car Wash

On the 17th November at 10pm the Stafford Car Wash on Stafford Road, Stafford, offender/offenders have attempted to enter the premises via the roof.

Cash was stolen.

Police believe that this person may be able to assist with inquiries.

Anyone with information in encouraged to contact local police or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or www.qld.crimestoppers.com.au 24 hrs a day.

Be prepared for summer storms

With a couple of severe storms already, it is important to ensure that we are all prepared for storms over the summer.

Councillor Fiona King has provided a few hints in her latest newsletter. These include:

1. Clean up around the yard and remove any over-hanging branches
2. Sign up to Brisbane City Councils early warning system
3. Have a battery powered radio at the ready
4. Have a torch and candles ready in case of a blackout

Incidentally, if you don’t receive Cr King’s newsletter, you can sign up at her website www.fionaking.org. It contains a lot of information about local events as well as Brisbane City Council news.

Everyone in the family should be aware of how to act during a storm. Stay inside and well clear of windows, doors and skylights. Shelter in the safest part of the house. If driving, turn on your hazard lights and pull over away from trees, power lines, drains and waterways. Stay tuned to the radio or other media for warnings, updates and advice. After the storm has passed check your house and property for damage and check that your neighbours are OK but be careful to stay clear of fallen power lines, trees, and any damaged buildings. 

For emergency help in storms or floods, call the SES on 132 500 or for life-threatening emergencies call 000. 

Further hints for storm preparation are also available at the new storm wise website www.stormwise.com.au.

Other good sources of information include the Brisbane City Council website www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and the Weather Bureau at www.bom.gov.au.

Particpants needed for a Drink Rite evening

Drink Rite is a Queensland Police Service program that aims to promote a responsible attitude towards alcohol consumption and drink driving. It involves participation in practical demonstrations on standard drinks followed by an opportunity for a number of participants to consume alcohol and be breath tested by a police officer.

Senior Constable Donna Burley from Carseldine Crime Prevention is looking for at least 5 more people to participate in a Drink Rite event at the Bonny View Tavern on Tuesday 11th December from 6pm to 8pm.

At this stage you will have to pay for the drinks you consume however there is a possibility that the Tavern may provide the alcohol. 

If you are interested but would like more information we can email you a brochure with details of the Drink Rite program – just send us an email at carseldine6NHW@gmail.com

If you would like to volunteer for this Drink Rite event, please contact Senior Constable Donna Burley at Carseldine Crime Prevention on Tel 3863 5114 or email Burley.DonnaL@police.qld.gov.au.

Drink Rite provides an opportunity to discuss the large range of factors that contribute to alcohol concentrations (including the differences between readings for men and women) to reinforce the message that attempting to estimate your breath alcohol concentration level is difficult and not recommended. Drink Rite also promotes the benefits of counting your drinks and drinking low versus high alcohol beverages.

At the conclusion of the Drink Rite event both participants and the audience should have an increased awareness of the link between the consumption of alcohol of different strengths and breath alcohol concentration, what constitutes a standard drink, how to use standard drinks to monitor your alcohol consumption, the range of factors that affect an individual's breath alcohol concentration and the links between alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harms, including violence and road crashes.