Weekly Community
Safety Advice
Each week if
possible I will produce a weekly community safety advice sheet. This will be
sent alongside the incident summary’s. Each advice sheet will contain
information about crime prevention, safety advice and rural crime/ safety advice.
As Christmas
approaches I’m sure were all enjoying some slightly late Christmas shopping, mulled wine and a few
mince pies. Much of This week’s advice will be around keeping safe in the
winter season.
Winter
Safe Driving
Prepare your
vehicle
It's a good idea to have your vehicle fully serviced before winter
starts and have the anti-freeze tested. If you can't have it serviced, then do
your own checks. In particular, check:
·
Lights are clean and working
·
Battery is fully charged
·
Windscreen, wiper blades and other windows are clean and the
washer bottle filled with screen wash
·
Tyre
·
Brakes are working well
·
Fluids are kept topped up, especially windscreen wash (to the
correct concentration to prevent it freezing), anti-freeze and oil
Emergency
Kit
When extreme weather is possible, keep an emergency kit in your
car, especially if you're going on a long journey. If this seems unnecessary,
take a moment to imagine yourself stranded in your car overnight, due to a snow
storm or floods. How would you stay warm? What would you eat and drink? If you
must drive in these conditions, we recommend that you carry:
·
Tow rope
·
A shovel
·
Wellington
·
A hazard warning triangle
·
De-icing equipment
·
First aid kit (in good order)
·
A working torch
·
A car blanket
·
Warm clothes
·
Emergency Rations (inc hot drink in a flask – non-alcoholic, of
course)
·
Mobile Phone (fully charged)
Prepare
your journey
Listen to local/national weather broadcasts and travel bulletins –
especially for the areas you will be driving through. As conditions can change
rapidly, check them regularly and be prepared to change your plans if
conditions on your route worsen.
If conditions are very bad, and the emergency services are
recommending that people don't travel, then avoid making your journey unless it
is absolutely necessary. Can you postpone your trip? Can you travel by other
means, or avoid the need for the journey completely by using the phone or email?
Of course, what's 'essential' to one person may not be to another;
we each have to make our own decisions according to our circumstances. But, try
to be realistic about which journeys are essential and which ones could be
postponed.
If you
decide you really must travel:
·
let someone know where you are going and what time you hope to
arrive, so that they can raise the alarm if you get into difficulties.
·
Plan alternative routes in case your main choice(s) becomes
impassable.
·
Keep your fuel tank near to full to ensure that you do not run
out.
·
Make sure you have a fully charged mobile phone, so you can call
for help or alert someone if you're delayed – it could be a long walk to a
phone, if you don't have a mobile phone.
·
If you don't have an emergency kit in your vehicle, at least take
extra warm clothes, boots and a torch. Consider keeping a couple of long-life
energy bars in the glove box.
·
Clear your windows and mirrors completely of
snow and ice before you set off (make sure the heater is blowing warm air
before setting off – it will keep your windscreen clear.)
Clear your windows and mirrors completely of
snow and ice before you set off (make sure the heater is blowing warm air
before setting off – it will keep your windscreen clear.)
Prepare
yourself
Most of us have very little experience of driving in extreme
conditions, such as snow, so take some time to consider how it affects your
driving. Don't just drive as normal.
A lot of us will catch colds or other illnesses during the Winter.
If you're feeling so ill that your driving might be affected, don't take the
chance of driving.
Driving
in snow or ice
If you find yourself driving in snow or on icy or snow covered
roads, adapt your driving to these conditions:
·
Reduce your speed. The chances of skidding are much greater and
your stopping distance will increase massively.
·
Only travel at a speed at which you can stop within the distance
you can see to be clear. Speed limits are the maximum in ideal conditions; in
difficult conditions, they can often be too fast.
·
Avoid harsh braking and acceleration, or sharp steering.
·
Always reduce your speed smoothly and in plenty of time on
slippery surfaces.
·
Slow down in plenty of time before bends and corners.
·
Braking on an icy or snow covered bend is extremely dangerous. The
centrifugal force will continue to pull you outwards and the wheels will not
grip very well. This could cause your vehicle to spin.
·
To brake on ice and snow without locking your wheels, get into a
low gear earlier than normal, allow your speed to fall and use your brakes
gently.
·
Increase the gap between you and the vehicle in front. You may
need up to TEN TIMES the normal distance for braking.
·
Keep your vehicle well-ventilated. The car heater turned up full
can quickly make you drowsy.
·
In snow, stop frequently to clean the windows, wheel arches,
lights and number plates.
·
Visibility will probably be reduced, so use dipped headlights.
·
During wintry weather, road surfaces are often wet and/or covered
in frost and ice or snow. But this does not occur uniformly. A road will often
have isolated patches of frost or ice after most of the road has thawed – this
commonly occurs under bridges.
If you get
stuck in snow:
·
If you get stuck in snow, revving your engine to try to power out
of the rut will just make the rut worse. Instead, move your vehicle slowly
backwards and forwards out of the rut using the highest gear you can.
·
If this doesn't work, you may have to ask a friendly passerby for
a push or get your shovel out.
If you get
caught in a snow drift:
·
Don't leave your vehicle
·
Call your breakdown service or the emergency services and let help
come to you.
·
Don't run the engine to keep warm
Rain
Rain reduces your ability to see and greatly increases the
distance required to slow down and stop. Remember that you will need about TWICE
your normal braking distance. Use windscreen wipers, washers and dipped
headlights; drive smoothly and plan your moves in plenty of time
Aquaplaning
Aquaplaning is caused by driving too fast into surface water. When
the tyre tread cannot channel away enough water, the tyre(s) lose contact with
the road and your car will float on a wedge of water. Aquaplaning can be
avoided by reducing speed in wet conditions. Having the correct tyre pressure
and tyre tread depth will maximise your tyres' ability to maintain their road
grip. If it happens, ease off the accelerator and brakes until your speed drops
sufficiently for the car tyres to make contact with the road again.
Flooded
roads
·
Avoid the deepest water – which is usually near the kerb.
·
Don't attempt to cross if the water seems too deep.
·
If you are not sure of the water's depth, look for an alternative
route.
·
If you decide to risk it, drive slowly in first gear but keep the
engine speed high by slipping the clutch – this will stop you from stalling.
·
Be aware of the bow wave from approaching vehicles – operate an
informal 'give way' with approaching vehicles.
Remember to test your brakes when you are through the flood.
Fog
Avoid
driving in fog unless your journey is absolutely necessary.
Fog is one of the most dangerous weather conditions. An accident
involving one vehicle can quickly involve many others, especially if they are
driving too close to one another.
If you must
drive:
·
Follow weather forecasts and general advice to drivers in the
local and national media
·
Allow plenty of extra time for your journey
·
Check your car before you set off. Make sure everything is in good
working order, especially the lights
Reduce your
speed and keep it down
·
Switch on headlights and fog lamps if visibility is reduced
·
If you can see the vehicles to your rear, the drivers behind can
see you – switch off your rear fog lamps to avoid dazzling them
·
Use the demister and windscreen wipers
·
Do not 'hang on' to the rear lights of the car in front as you
will be too close to be able to brake safely
·
Switch off distracting noises and open the window slightly so that
you can listen for other traffic, especially at crossroads and junctions
·
Beware of speeding up immediately visibility improves slightly. In
patchy fog you could find yourself 'driving blind' again only moments later
·
If you break down, inform the police and get the vehicle off the
road as soon as possible. Never park on the road in fog and never leave it
without warning lights of some kind if it is on the wrong side of the road
Strong
Winds
·
Hold on tight
·
Avoid bridges
·
If driving a high sided vehicle...don't.
Low
Sunshine
Ironically, having talked about all these poor winter weather
conditions, winter suns can also cause difficulties. In Winter, the angle of
the sun in the sky will frequently be too low for your visor to help. If
blinded by glare:
·
Reduce your speed
·
Reduce the effect of glare by keeping both the inside and outside
of your windscreen clean and grease free.
·
If you wear sunglasses (with prescription lenses if necessary)
take them off whenever the sun goes in. They should not be worn in duller
weather or at night as they seriously reduce the ability to see.
For more
Winter driving advice please visit the following link:
Be
Cyber Smart!
On December 1, 2014, Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police launched the #Be Cyber Smart campaign to raise awareness of internet-related crime and to give people the knowledge they need to protect themselves.
The first phase focuses on online shopping; urging people to carry out a
few simple safety checks before parting with their hard-earned cash. We have joined forces with Get Safe Online to encourage people to follow their ‘12 Online Safety Tips of Christmas’.
1. Don’t
Transfer Money
Always pay for items you buy online by card
on a secure payment page, by cheque or by cash, in person. However desperate
you are to secure an item, never transfer money into the seller’s account, as
you may never see the goods or your money ever again.
2. Check that
Payment Pages are Secure
Before you enter your card details on a
payment page, make sure it is secure by checking that the address starts with
‘https’ (the ‘s’ stands for ‘secure’) and there’s a padlock or unbroken key
symbol in the browser window.
3. Use a Credit
Card
Still talking about payments, remember that
you have more chance of getting your money back in the event of problems if you
pay by credit card rather than debit card. Some sellers may charge a premium,
but it could well be worth the extra for your peace of mind.
4. Use Auction
Sites Safely
At Christmas time, many of us buy from online
auction sites. Always use trusted and well-known payment methods instead of
paying sellers directly. Read the site and seller’s conditions. And for your
personal safety if you’re collecting in person, take someone with you or let
people know where you’re going.
5. Check Out
Bargains With Care
If you find or are emailed about an item that
seems just too much of a bargain, it could be a scam, fake goods or it doesn’t
match the description. Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably
is.
6. Use Social
Networks Safely
Social networks are a popular medium for
scams – and are becoming increasingly so. If you see a post promising something
free of charge, free entry to a Christmas competition with a fantastic prize or
perhaps an offer that seems just too good to be true, consider very carefully
before following it up.
7. Use Email
Safely
An email urging you to click on a link to
reveal a special offer, to open an attachment containing some great news, or to
“confirm details” or “reset your account”, could well be a scam, even if it
appears to come from a reputable source. If in doubt, delete the email and
don’t respond to or forward it.
8. Look After
That New Smartphone or Tablet
If you’re buying or get bought a new
smartphone or tablet, protect it by downloading a reputable internet security
app, and make sure it’s safeguarded with a PIN. Install parental control
software on kids’ mobile devices, and chat to them about how to use the
internet safely.
9. Remember To
Log Out
When you’ve finished your online shopping or
banking session, always log out of the website or app… it only takes a second.
Sometimes, just closing the window doesn’t mean you’ve logged out, and someone
else could gain access to your account and personal details. Don’t forget to
check and save purchase confirmation emails.
10. Make Sure
Wi-fi Is Secure
At home or other premises you know, make sure
the Wi-Fi is secured. When you’re out and about – in the café, the pub or a
hotel for example – you can’t guarantee it’s secured even if you have to enter
a code. When you’re shopping, banking or making other online payments, it’s
better to connect with 3G or 4G, even if it’s slower.
11. Beware of
Scam Phone Calls
If someone posing as a retailer calls you to
confirm an online purchase, it could well be a scam. The idea is that you won’t
remember the purchase, and call your bank. However, the fraudster stays on the
line, and tricks you into revealing your financial details. If this happens,
hang up, don’t call back, but report it to Action Fraud.
12. Check Bank
Statements
Check your bank and credit card accounts
regularly for irregular or unauthorised transactions. If you spot any entries
you don’t recognise, contact your bank without delay. Make sure your bank has
your up-to-date contact details so they can alert you if they spot anything
unusual.
- For more
information about internet safety have a look at our dedicated
section here.
- For further
information about staying safe online and the scams to look out for go to www.getsafeonline.org
and www.cyberstreetwise.com
- If you think
you have been a victim of fraud: Report it to Action Fraud, the
- Keep a look
out for #becybersmart on Twitter
Rural
advice
Please
see the following link
The link
below opens up a PDF file which contains information on severe weather advice,
more specifically on the following:
- Responsibilities to animals
- Advice to Farmers;
- Pet owners and horse owners
- Information on live animal
transport
- Market information
- Advice to slaughter house food
business operators
- And other advice for hot weather
( certainly not applicable at the moment!)
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