Be safe during Schoolies Week celebrations

Police and Community Safety Minister Jack Dempsey is urging school leavers to be prepared, alert and safe when they take part in the annual Schoolies Week celebrations next week.

Thousands of students are expected to descend on the Gold Coast from Saturday to celebrate completing Year 12.

“Year 12s have worked hard throughout their schooling and we want them to have fun, but we also want them to return home safely at the end of the week,” Mr Dempsey said.

“Emergency services crews will be out and about helping those in trouble but I ask that each school leaver takes their personal safety seriously.

“The Queensland Police Service patrolling the Schoolies precinct on the Gold Coast will take a zero tolerance approach to anyone breaking the law or behaving inappropriately.

“Staying safe is often a matter of common sense and there are some simple steps school leavers can take to ensure their celebration does not turn into a nightmare.

“Be alert and watch out for your friends, dial 000 if there is an emergency, stay with your group and if you’re old enough to drink monitor how much you and your friends have had.

“I would also like to remind all teenagers that one punch can kill and the best action to take if someone is looking for a fight is to walk away.”

Mr Dempsey said ambulance officers and State Emergency Services (SES) volunteers would also be at the Schoolies precinct to help any school leaver in need.

“An additional 16 ambulance officers will be working between 5pm and 3am and an Ambulance Treatment Centre will be set up on the Surfer’s Paradise Esplanade just north of Cavill Mall,” he said.

“Last year a majority of the cases ambulance officers handled were minor and included sprained ankles, sunburn and dehydration.

“The 18 SES volunteers working in the Schoolies Hub will be split between the three recharge tents, at the Ambulance Treatment Centre and with paramedics as a part of a rapid response team.

“All these measures will help ensure school leavers are as safe as possible, but safety is also a personal responsibility.”

Tips for getting through Schoolies safely include:

• If someone is behaving aggressively, walk away
• Do not accept a drink from a stranger
• Do not leave drinks unattended
• Trust your instincts, if you feel unsafe in a situation, leave and be sure to tell someone
• Call 000 in an emergency
• Arrange a meeting place in case you do get split up from your friends
• Slip, slop, slap
• Wear sensible shoes
• Stick with your group and look out for your mates
• Drink plenty of water
• Save emergency contacts in your mobile phone

[ENDS] 15 November 2012

Media Contacts: Danny Donald 0439 719 116 or Lea Emery 0417 226 114