Your health and well-being can be affected by a range of possible risks at school, work, home or when you're out and about. Safety is not just about extreme situations. It also involves lots of everyday scenarios such as exercising safely, avoiding food poisoning, using machinery and driving.
Safety is about taking responsibility for yourself and for others.
Just be aware of the issues and anything that could make you seem vulnerable. You can make choices to help protect yourself and minimise some of the risks.
There are many websites you can visit and phone numbers you can call if you feel unsure about your safety in a situation.
Safety on the road
- Need ideas for safer driving? Take a look at the Traffic Accident Commision (TAC) (new window) safe driving tips
- Or, do you ride a bike? Check out Bicycle Victoria's safety tips for cyclists (new window)
Farm safety
Looking for ideas about farm safety? Check out the Better Health Channel (new window).
Party safety
Violence, drink spiking and sexual assault don't only happen at night and they don't only happen to girls and women. Check out our Party Safe page for tips and ideas on how to avoid these situations when you're out.
Safety at the beach
Love going to the beach? Life Saving Victoria (new window) has some good advice on beach safety and how to read the surf.
Threats or assaults
Threats, assaults and violence not only take place when you're out and about, they can happen when you're at home or in other familiar places. It is never acceptable - not from strangers and not from people you know or care about.
- Love: the good, the bad and the ugly (new window) is an on-line guide for girls on love, respect and abuse in relationships
- If you're feeling unsafe in a home or personal situation, see Reach Out! (new window) for some steps you can take to assess a dangerous situation and get out of it
Or, if you want someone to chat to straight away about anything, phone Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.
Emergencies
Emergencies are life or death situations when every second can count. Things are less likely to go wrong if you can stay calm, focus on the situation at hand, and get help.
In some types of emergencies, people panic and worry about other issues like getting into trouble with parents or the police. For instance, if someone has overdosed on alcohol or drugs, or you are somewhere where you aren't meant to be. Remember - ambulance officers do NOT call the police unless someone dies or people feel threatened.
If someone needs medical attention you need to focus on that and make sure you get help. Things will only be worse if someone ends up with serious or permanent injuries, or dies.
The Better Health Channel lists who to contact (new window) for help in different kinds of emergencies.
Take a look at Safety Victoria (new window) for ideas about coping with different types of emergencies such as bushfires and storms or accidents at work or in and around the home.
Safety courses
Learning self-defence and getting some first aid training can give you practical skills and extra confidence when it comes to some threatening situations.
Many organisations offer first aid training, including:
- Australian Red Cross (new window)
- St John Ambulance Australia (new window)
Safety issues links
Safety Victoria
Information about staying safe in all kinds of situations including on the road, while travelling, at the beach and at work. It also includes info on security and terrorism as well as preparing for and dealing with emergencies.
Better Health Channel
Provides articles on all sorts of safety issues including farm safety and safety at home.
Victorian WorkCover Authority - WorkSafe
Details workplace safety basics and issues for workers in different industries.
Safety & relationships links
Love: the good, the bad and the ugly
An on-line guide for girls on love, respect and abuse in relationship.
Reach Out! Safety & Violence
A series of up-front articles on safety and violence including abusive relationships, assessing your safety, domestic violence, safe chat over the net and sexual assault. They also provide information to help you if your friend has taken pills or hurt themselves.
Emergencies links
The Victorian Ambulance Service
Find out about metropolitan, rural and air ambulance services in Victoria, and ambulance membership schemes.
Victorian Legal Aid - Alcohol, drugs and gambling
A range of factual information about alcohol and drugs, including overdoses - what to do to help yourself or a friend and what the legal issues are.
