Stay safe this Christmas

This year's Festive Safety message is to stay safe whilst shopping, partying, at home or on the roads. We provide some important information to help you stay safe this Festive Period.  

Shopping Safety 

Stay safe on the high street this Christmas with our Shop Safe tips and information. 

The festive period is traditionally the busiest time of the year for shopping and unfortunately, there are those who exploit the festive period for the wrong reasons but it only takes a few simple preventative measures to discourage criminals and stay safe. 

Keep Safe Online this Christmas with our online safety tips and information. More and more people use online shopping to purchase their Christmas presents as well as taking advantage of sales and events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It's important to take a couple of precautionary steps when purchasing goods online to keep safe and avoid being targeted by criminals.   

If you’re out for the evening or Christmas shopping, keep your bags, phone and other valuables safe. Busy places make it easier for thieves.

It is also important that people understand the dangers of social media and that what you post online, stays online. 

Party Safety 

With the festive season, many people will be out celebrating in pubs and clubs and their Christmas nights out so we want to provide you with some key information to help you stay safe. 

Make sure to stay with friends, stick to your plans, have travel arranged and be careful of what you drink. Don't leave drinks unattended and stay away from drugs, new psychoactive substances or other controlled substances. 

Attending a Christmas party? Keep your drink safe and remember if you do drink alcohol, know your limits. For more information on personal safety, visit the Suzy Lamplugh Trust advice pages.

Make sure you consider how you are getting home in advance. Don’t use unlicensed taxis. .

Home Safety 

Keep your home safe this Christmas with our Home safety tips and information. 

A few simple steps such as leaving a light on when your out, keeping presents and valuables out of sight, opening and closing curtains at the appropriate time of day and not advertising on social media when you are out helps to keep criminals away. 

Your recycling and rubbish can tell thieves what new presents you have. Do not advertise to thieves. Fold your present packaging inside out or put them in other plain boxes.

Treat your shed to an alarm. Ensure that all new and old presents stored in your outbuildings are locked away securely.

Road Safety 

During the winter months ensure your car is ready for the season change in weather - are tyres, brakes, windscreens, wiper blades and windows free from defects and clean? 

Be aware of changing road conditions, don't put yourself and others at risk. 

Don’t leave your car or van unlocked, unattended or with the engine running whilst you de-ice your car in the mornings. This is not secure and your car insurance will be invalid if it was stolen.

Drink driving – don’t risk it, if you are out partying be aware of your alcohol consumption. 

The consequences if caught drink driving are a possible 6 months' imprisonment, an unlimited fine and a driving ban for at least 1 year. Plus guilt, shame and possible job loss.

It’s not worth it, please be responsible!