The Essential Summer Safety Guide for Bermuda Residents
Summer can be a relaxing time, with kids home from school and the holiday season in full swing. However, it’s important to remain vigilant and keep yourself and those around you safe. Here are some tips to make sure that your summer fun is crime-free.
Monitor open windows
When you have a full house, open windows are a great way to let some fresh air in. However, leaving them unguarded can give burglars an easy way into your home. Make sure that you close windows before you leave rooms, and especially before you leave the house.
Friends don’t let friends drive drunk
Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal and incredibly dangerous. Not only could it result in serious injury or death, but penalties include fines, driving bans and even prison. In 2023 alone, 263 people were arrested for driving while impaired in Bermuda.
It can be difficult to stop people who don’t take this seriously, but it’s in everyone’s best interest to prevent drunk driving. Try and help any friend considering drunk driving to find an alternative way home.
Watch valuables
It can be tempting to leave valuables unattended so that your whole group can go in the sea. However, this gives thieves the opportunity to swipe things. It’s much better for someone to sit out than to risk losing important items. Another option is to put valuables in a waterproof pouch and take them with you, but this isn’t always reliable and can weigh you down.
Keep an eye on drinks
Predators often take advantage of busy clubs and bars to spike people’s drinks. Sometimes, they even follow this up with an attempt at theft or assault. The first line of defence against drink spiking is keeping your drink covered. If you need to, leave your drink with a friend, but never continue drinking your drink once it has been left unattended. You can also purchase covers and stoppers to further protect your drinks.
Park carefully
If you go on a day trip, it can be easy to get swept up and make mistakes when you leave your car. Where possible, park in populated and well-lit areas. Make sure that your car is locked, including shutting all the windows. Never leave visible valuables inside your car, as this can encourage criminals to break into your car. Be aware of your surroundings when entering and exiting your car, and don’t park next to cars with people inside. If you see anything suspicious in a car park, report it.
Report crime and suspicious activity
If you witness a crime or anything suspicious, you should report it to help keep Bermuda safe. Crime Stoppers Bermuda offers a way to report crime anonymously, without even the police knowing your identity.
Our staff don’t see your IP address or phone number, but pass the information you give us directly to the police, in an anonymised report. If your information leads to an arrest, we also offer rewards.
Use our online form or phone 800-8477 to report information.
