Personal Safety and Security

Despite how it sometimes seems, the likelihood of being the target of a crime is low. However, you can make yourself even less likely to be targeted by taking a few simple precautions.

In Your Home

Make sure your home is secure. Most day-time burglaries take place in unoccupied homes. Close and lock all windows and doors when you go out. Good quality locks should be fitted on all doors but ensure that these locks are easily accessible to the occupier in the event of an emergency.
Do not advertise your absence. Inform a trusted neighbour or relative if you are going away on holidays, for the weekend or for any lengthy period. Inform the Gardai of any prolonged period of home vacancy.
Cancel all regular deliveries such as milk, daily paper etc if you are going to be away.
While you are away, ask a trusted neighbour or relative to collect any mail or other deliveries so that it will not be evident that the house is unoccupied. Consider asking them to switch on lights, draw curtains at night, park in your driveway etc.
A burglar alarm is a deterrent. Always use it if you have one but if not and its an option, have a good system installed by a reputable accredited company. All intruder alarms should be fitted to EN50131 standard.
Movement activated exterior lighting can also help put off unwelcome visitors.
Have a door viewer fitted so you can see the caller before you decide whether to open the door.
A door limiter or door chain can also provide some protection but make sure it is always on when opening the door to someone you do not know.
Letterboxes should be situated away from door locks.
Have regular contact with you neighbours.
Anyone calling to the door on official business will carry some form of identification with them. Always ask to see it before you consider allowing them in your home and if you are not sure, ring and check with the company or organisation the person claims to represent.
Beware of bogus workmen. Check and verify their identity. If you are not satisfied, do not enter into any contract or agreement with them and do not allow them to engage in any work. Genuine workmen should not object if you need a day or two to verify who they are or to ring other companies to get other estimates.
Having a telephone extension installed in the bedroom might make you feel more secure. If you have a mobile phone, bring it with you to your bedroom at night.
Make sure that sheds or garages are secured as they are a common source of implements for the burglar.
Draw your curtains after dark.
If you see signs of a break-in to your home, do not enter. Go to a neighbour or friend and call the Gardai using the emergency numbers 999 or 112.
Do not keep large amounts of cash in the house.
Keep credit cards and cheque books in a safe place.
Mark all your valuables. Photographs of items can be very useful when trying to recover stolen goods
When you answer the phone, do not give any information about yourself to a stranger ie do not give your name or number or reveal that you are alone or that you have a disability.
If you receive a harassing or obscene telephone call, keep calm, put the receiver down beside the phone and walk away. A few minutes later put the receiver back on its cradle without listening to see if the caller is still there. The less your reaction, the less likely the caller is to call back. Report malicious, obscene or nuisance calls to Eircom's Malicious Calls Bureau, and contact the Gardai. Keep a record of the dates, times and content of the calls if possible to help the Gardai trace the person responsible.

Note: It is vitally important to remember when fitting any security device or implementing any security measure in your home, to consider the risk of fire and how you would escape in the event of an emergency. Fire safety should never be compromised.

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When You Are Out and About

If you are going to be out and about at night on your own, always try and walk in well-lit streets. Carry a personal attack alarm in your hand so you can use it to immediately scare off an attacker.
Inform a trusted party where you are going and your expected time of return.
Carry a mobile phone if you have one.
Carry your bag close to you and distribute some of your valuables eg keys or mobile phone in your pockets. Limit carrying valuables to those that are necessary.
If someone grabs your bag, let it go. If you put up a fight, you could get hurt.
If you use a wheelchair, keep your things beside you rather than at the back of the chair.
Do not take short-cuts through parks, waste ground or dark alleys.
Never take a lift from a stranger.
Walk facing the traffic so no-one can pull up behind you without you noticing.
Avoid wearing jewellery but if you must, cover it up as best as possible.
On an empty bus, sit near the driver.
If alone in a taxi, sit behind the driver in the back seat. If in any doubt, do not get in the vehicle.
On reaching your destination, ask the taxi driver to wait until you are safely inside.

There are dedicated Crime Prevention Officers in every Garda division in the country. If you have any queries in relation to personal safety, you should contact these officers or your local Garda station.