How To Stay Safe During Political Unrest: The 5-Step Guide
Learn practical actions to protect yourself and your family when tensions rise
Political unrest can erupt suddenly, putting citizens at risk. Knowing how to prepare and respond can save lives. This guide gives you five concrete steps to stay safe today.
Step 1: Identify the Threat Landscape
Start by checking the ASIO website for the latest threat alerts, and sign up for the ASIO Alert email list to receive real‑time updates. Follow local news outlets like ABC News and SBS for on‑ground reporting. Bookmark the Safety.gov.au portal and set a reminder to review it weekly.
Step 2: Secure Your Personal Information
Use a password manager such as 1Password or Bitwarden to store unique passwords, and enable two‑factor authentication on all email and social‑media accounts. Install a reputable VPN like NordVPN to mask your IP address when browsing. Keep a printed copy of your emergency contacts in a safe place.
Step 3: Create a Safety Plan
Map out at least two safe routes out of your home using Google Maps offline mode, and identify nearby shelters or police stations. Share your plan with family members and post it in a shared Google Calendar. Practice the plan with a quick drill to ensure everyone knows what to do.
Step 4: Stay Connected During an Incident
Set up an encrypted messaging group on Signal or Telegram so you can receive real‑time updates from neighbors. Enable location sharing in the group so others can see your position if you need help. Keep your phone fully charged and carry a portable charger.
Step 5: Report Suspicious Activity Promptly
Contact local police via 000 or use the Policing app to report incidents quickly. If you have a smartphone, send a photo or video with the timestamp and location to the police. Keep a log of all reports in a secure folder on your device.
Consider a personal‑safety app like SafeTrek or bSafe that can send an instant alert to trusted contacts when you feel threatened.
By following these five steps you’ll be better prepared to respond to political unrest. You’ll know where to find alerts, keep your data safe, and have a clear plan in place. Take action now—download the tools and create your safety plan today.
