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Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter October 2007 NHW area LTB1 (NHW 121)

Magnetic Toys, Burglaries, Internet Dating Scams, Internet Chat Rooma, Police Crime Report.

By Malcolm Lawrence - 15th October 2007 - Back to News

Neighbourhood Watch Area LTB1, Bridle Estate.

Police Co-ordinator: Senior Constable Brett Godden, Phone 5131 5085

Next Meeting

When: Monday 15th October 2007.

Time: 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Salvation Army Hall,

Bridle Road, Morwell.

Magnetic Toys:

Magnetic toys may be a fun educational tool, but they can kill. These toys contain powerful magnets that are set in plastic bars and are used to build structures from smaller pieces. There have been cases where the magnets have separated from these plastic pieces, if that happens they are small enough to swallow.

If more than one magnet, or a magnet and a metal object such as a ball are swallowed, they can attract each other through the walls of the intestine, which can lead to obstruction, tissue death, blood poisoning or perforation of the intestines. In America one toddler has died and 42 have undergone emergency surgery, because of swallowed magnets. Queensland has reported 58 magnet related injuries from 1998 to 2005.

There is another risk presented by these toys. Older children who deliberately swallow the magnets and show off their new party trick, sticking magnets to the outside of their tummies, using the magnet forces from the swallowed magnets within.

Burglaries:

Burglaries do not occur by chance. The risk that a household will become victim to burglary, will depend on the opportunities that a premises presents. There are a significant number of burglars who are opportunists and others who tend to be more systematic in their approach. Burglars are looking for easy targets, make sure it’s not you. Effective locks on doors and windows make it harder for burglars to enter your home.

Acting on the following checklist will be enough to turn away most burglars. Even a professional may move on rather than spend too much time or make too much noise trying to defeat the security.

1. Install double cylinder deadlocks on all external doors.

2. Install key operated window locks on all windows.

3. Security screen doors with three-point deadlocking systems should be installed on main entry and patio doors.

4. Use padlocks on gates, garages, letterboxes and sheds.

5. Have locks or their cylinders changed when you move into a new property or when keys are lost.

6. Install exterior sensor lighting.

Internet Dating Scam:

An internet dating scam probably operating out of Russia has duped several Australians. Once a relationship has been established through the online dating site, the person is asked to send their prospective partner money to travel to Australia. Shortly after the money is received, the relationship is terminated, and the money disappears. Always treat a request for money with extreme scepticism.

Internet Chat Rooms:

The internet is a very useful tool that can be used to gather information, and communicate with other people around the world. One of the dangers of this system lies in chat rooms that allow strangers to contact others. These people may have ulterior motives towards their contacts, children are particularly vulnerable to this sort of activity. There have been numerous incidents where children and young adults have been taken advantage of by people who arrange meetings with the intention of sexually exploiting them.

Children and Young Adults should be warned to:

· Never chat to people they don’t know, they may not be who they say they are.

· Never send pictures of themselves to people they do not personally know.

· Never arrange a meeting with someone they met online.

· Never give identifying information such as their name, address, or phone number.

Police Crime Report For August 2007

• 29/7/2007 Gabo Way Property damage to a house.
• 3/8/2007 Bridle Road Property damage.
• 12/8/2007 The Boulevard Property damage to the front garden of a house.
• 27/8/2007 Willow Court property damage to the front garden of a house.
• 30/8/2007 Spring court Theft from a motor vehicle.

5 Offenders were charged for any reported offence in the area

.

Police Crime Report For September is not available.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: malcolml@dcsi.net.au

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