• The Australian Government will use television, radio, newspapers and the internet to provide critical information and advice on protecting our nation against terrorism.    It is important that you try to keep up to date with the news.

• Small pieces of information from members of the public can help keep Australia safe from terrorism.    Police and security agencies are working hard, but you could help them complete the picture.    If you see anything suspicious, phone the 24-hour National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.    Trained operators take every call seriously, and you can remain anonymous.

• Videotaping is one of the ways terrorists gather information about a target.    In 2001, a major terrorist plot in Singapore was averted, when videotapes of buildings to be attacked, including the Australian High Commission, were discovered.

• Terrorists use vehicles for many different purposes, from surveillance to planting bombs, as in Bali.    Vehicles may be parked for an unusually long time, sometimes in no-parking areas.    Explosives can be heavy, so cars and vans may sit abnormally low on their suspension.    They may be out of registration, or have false or missing number plates.    Overseas, a terrorist attack was foiled after police became suspicious of a car with front and rear number plates that didn’t match.

• The way terrorists use, rent and buy accommodation, is often suspicious.    In the UK, a rented garage was turned into a bomb factory.    A member of the public reported strange comings and goings of men wearing gloves, which led to the arrest of terrorists who had already attacked Heathrow Airport three times.

• Fertilizer is a widely available product that has been used in many terrorist bombs.    In 1995, a bomb in Oklahoma City, killed 168 people.    One of the people involved was arrested, following the discovery of a receipt for nearly a tonne of fertilizer that was used to make the bomb.

• While planning an attack, terrorists may lead lives that appear unusual or suspicious.    Before the 11 September 2001 attacks, terrorists in the US undertook flight training, but weren’t interested in learning how to take off or land.    The leader of that group also paid cash for many large purchases, such as the flight training, accommodation, vehicles and air tickets.

• Terrorists frequently use stolen or fake documents, including passports and driver’s licences.    They can also have several identities, and may give conflicting details to those they come into contact with.    Overseas, alert bank employees noticed a series of unusual transactions, and identified an account that had been opened in a false name.    They reported it to authorities, who uncovered links to a terrorist group.

• If you see an unattended package or bag in a public place, with no apparent reason for being there, here’s what to do:

• Ask if anyone owns it.
• If no one does, don’t touch it.
• Alert others to keep away.
• If in a shopping mall or building, contact security.
• Or phone local police, or the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.

• Please be patient with queues or delays caused by security checks.
• Allow extra time for journeys, especially when flying.
• Don’t leave packages or bags unattended.

• Decide who in your household will do what in an emergency, and make sure everyone knows his or her role.    For example, who will check on elderly neighbours, or pick up children from school?

• Choose an out-of-town friend or relative who is prepared to be a point of contact if the members of your household are separated in an emergency.    Make sure everyone (including your key contact) has a full list of your contact details.

• Decide where your group will meet, in the event of an incident that makes it impossible for you to go home.

• In some emergencies, you may need to turn off your electricity, water or gas.    Make a note of where the main switches and valves are located.

• Record the numbers of your local police, fire, ambulance and council, and your State Emergency Service, together with gas and electricity suppliers.

• Prepare an emergency kit and keep it where you can find it easily.    It should include a torch;  a battery-operated radio;  a first aid kit, including disposable latex gloves;  and copies of your important personal documents.

• In an emergency, try to remain calm and reassure others.
• Check for injuries.    Attend to your own injuries first, so you are then able to help others.
• Ensure your family members and neighbours are safe, especially children, the elderly, or those who are living alone.
• During an emergency, watch your television, or listen to your radio for information.
• Follow the advice of the emergency services.    If it is dark, check for damage, using a torch.    Do not light a match  –  there could be gas in the air.
• If you smell gas, turn off the main gas valve, if it is safe to do so, and quickly move everyone outside.
• Call to let someone know you are safe, but minimise other calls, unless the situation is life-threatening, to avoid overloading phone lines.
• Use a landline to phone essential contacts, if mobile networks are down.
• Make sure pets are safe, and have food and water.

• Protect yourself from falling debris.
• Get away to an open space or protected area, as quickly and calmly as possible.
• Stay away from tall buildings, glass windows, and parked vehicles.
• Follow the instructions of the emergency services.
• If you have any information that may help apprehend suspects or identify a vehicle involved, contact the police or the National Security Hotline at once.

• Do not open it.
• Leave it alone and immediately clear the area.
• Phone 000, and ask for the police.    Wait in a safe place until emergency services arrive, and follow their instructions.

• Stay low to the floor, as smoke and heat rises.
• Use the emergency exit to get out of the building as quickly and safely as possible  –  do not use the lift.
• Check doors, before opening them  –  if they feel hot, there may be fire on the other side.

• Make sure the situation is safe (eg. keep clear of power lines, gas, smoke and fire).
• If the injured person is unconscious and not responding, or if the incident has not otherwise been reported, phone 000 immediately, and ask for an ambulance.
• If the person is not breathing, remove any blockage to the airway.    If you or any bystander has the necessary skills, commence cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Attend to severe bleeding (hotlink to ‘bleeding’) or shock (hotlink to ‘shock’) and then care for injuries to muscles, bones and joints.
• Monitor the injured person’s condition, while waiting for professional assistance to arrive.
• Help the person rest in the most comfortable position, and give reassurance.

• Cover the wound with a dressing or clean cloth, and place direct pressure on it.
• Encourage the person to lie down if necessary.
• Raise the injured part above the level of the heart, but take great care if you suspect a broken bone.
• Cover the dressing with a bandage to hold it in place.
• If the bleeding does not stop, apply additional dressings, pads and bandages on top of existing ones.

• Cool the burn with plenty of clean cold water (except for burns that are charred, whitish or deep).
• Do not break blisters.
• Gently remove rings, watches, belts or tight clothing.
• Cover burned areas with dry, clean, non-stick dressings or cloth.
• Treat for shock as required.

• Keep the victim from getting either cold or overheated.
• Raise legs about 30cm, if you don’t suspect broken bones.
• Do not give food or drink.

• Rest the injured part.    Avoid movements that cause pain.
• Immobilise the injured part, before moving the victim, or giving additional care.
• Apply ice or a cold pack, to reduce swelling and pain.
• Raise the injured area, to slow the flow of blood, and reduce swelling.

• Exposure to any of these agents could lead to an unexplained outbreak of illness.
• If gas or poison is released, as in the 1995 Tokyo subway terrorist attack, this can cause rapid collapse, or otherwise unexplained loss of consciousness.
• If you see such symptoms, evacuate the area immediately, phone 000, and follow the advice of emergency services.
• Symptoms of exposure to other agents are unlikely to be of such rapid onset, but if in doubt phone 000, and follow the instructions given.
• Decontamination may be needed before medical care can be given.