Holly's Spring safety tips

Hello, my name is Holly and I work in the Community Safety Unit at Derbyshire County Council, helping to reduce crime and the fear of crime.

Avoid becoming a victim of crime

• Remember that leaving the door ajar whilst upstairs or the window open while you ‘pop’ for that pint of milk could cost you your possessions. Do not leave your home advertised to a burglar.
• If someone comes to your door asking for entry, be sure to check the identification of that person – remember that the telephone number on the ID badge will never be a mobile and you must call it to verify the person at your doorstep before letting him or her in.
• When out and about, button your wallet into your pocket and zip your handbags up with the zip end where you can see it. This will prevent any theft from your person or bag.
• Wipe away your sucker marks from the windscreen when using a satellite navigation system and take it with you.
• Remove any money you may have in the centre console on show to reduce the risk of car theft.

Stay safe, play safe

• You may think that swimming outdoors is fun to do before the summer months, but the water you choose to do this in could be very deep, full of dangerous items or totally off limits. Avoid accidents and dip into your local swimming baths.
• Be road smart when using your music player or mobile phone, you still need to look out for oncoming traffic, and keep both eyes aware of what is happening around you.

Drink sensibly

• If you have been abstaining from drinking after the festive period, you will be more sensitive to alcohol.
• Do not drink and drive, these account for one in five deaths on the road. You can still be prosecuted if your test is clear but the officer suspects your driving has been affected by alcohol.
• Remember that the young people around you may look up to you, they don’t want to look up and see a wobbly person followed by a grumpy, poorly one the next day.
• Your limit varies on your size, weight, height and whether you have eaten before drinking. You know how you feel, and you should not be embarrassed to stagger your drinking when with friends.

Look out for more tips over the summer months.