• Getting around Sydney safely
• Using an automated teller machine (ATM)
• Car safety
• Public transport safety
• Walking safety
• Special events
• Safe use of alcohol
• Illicit drugs
• Assault
• Sexual Assault
• Beach and Water Advice
• Parks and Bushland

• Always have enough money with you for a phone call, taxi or public transportation.
• Know where you are staying and how to get there. Carry the address and contact details for your accommodation and group leader with you.
• Before you go out, always have a plan for getting home and tell someone where you are going.

• Withdraw money from an ATM in a busy area when you are with a group of friends.
• Avoid withdrawing large amounts of money.
• Keep your valuables where you can see and reach them, especially wallets and mobile phones.

• Be aware that in Australia we drive on the left hand side of the road.
• Seat belts are compulsory in Australia for everybody in the car.
• In NSW, full license holders must not exceed a blood alcohol level of 0.05/100gs. Driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.05 or over is a criminal offence.
• Every person is different. But a rule of thumb is that a woman will stay below the legal limit for driving if she has no more than one standard drink in the first hour and one standard drink every hour after. Men will generally remain below the limit if they have no more than two standard drinks in the first hour and one standard drink every hour after.
• If you are planning on driving, make sure you have the correct and current licence and abide by all the road laws. For more information please visit the Roads and Traffic Authority website.

• Use the supervised taxi ranks located at key points throughout the city. For more information please go to the NSW Taxi Service website.
• Be careful when getting on and off trains and never jump onto train tracks to get to another platform.
• If you are travelling by train at night, travel in the carriage closest to the guard's compartment (indicated by the blue light on the carriage). This will line you up with the carriage closest to the on-board guard. For more information about safe rail travel, see CityRail's Trainsmart.

• In Australia cars are driven on the left hand side of the road – be sure to look both ways before you cross.
• Cross the road at pedestrian crossings or traffic lights when possible.
• Do not start crossing the road once the pedestrian light is flashing red.
• Stay behind barricades at all times.
• If no footpath is available, walk facing the oncoming traffic and keep as far to the outside as possible.
• Keep to the left side on shared bicycle/pedestrian paths.
• Always make sure you wear a hat, sun protective clothing and sunscreen when you are outdoors - even if it looks cloudy you can still get sunburnt.

A number of special events have been organised for WYD08. Make your time at the events more enjoyable by keeping this advice in mind:

• Take your time, wait until the area has cleared, and move safely when entering or leaving a venue.
• Eat well and drink plenty of water.
• Always make sure you wear a hat, sun protective clothing and sunscreen when you are outdoors - even if it looks cloudy you can still get sunburnt.
• Wear sensible shoes – you could be in for a long day or night on your feet.
• Make sure you stay warm, particularly if you are sleeping outside. Sydney’s average minimum temperature in July is 8°C (46°F), so appropriate clothing, a warm sleeping bag and wet weather gear are essential.
• Make sure you know where your friends are at all times and decide on a meeting place.
• Don’t look after other people’s belongings and don’t ask others to look after yours.
• If you see anything suspicious, let security or the police know.

Remember, you don’t have to drink alcohol to have a good time. But if you do decide to drink alcohol, here are some things to keep in mind:

• The legal drinking age in NSW is 18. If you are under 18 years of age, it is illegal for you to buy alcohol or be in most licensed premises such as pubs or nightclubs.
• It is an offence for anyone to drink or carry alcohol in an alcohol-free zone. Information on alcohol-free zones is available at local councils. Alcohol-free zones in the Sydney CBD can be found at the City of Sydney website.
• The Australian Alcohol Guidelines recommend that women drink no more than two standard drinks (equivalent to 10mg of alcohol per drink) a day and no more than four standard drinks in any one day.
• The Guidelines recommend that men drink no more than four standard drinks per day and no more than six standard drinks in any one day.
• It is important to have at least one to two alcohol free days a week.
• If you do intend to drink alcohol, drink a non-alcoholic drink between alcoholic drinks.
• Eat before you drink alcohol.
• Beware of drink spiking.

The possession and/or consumption of prohibited drugs such as ecstasy, speed, cocaine and marijuana is illegal in Australia.

Using these drugs on their own or mixing them with other drugs or alcohol puts you at risk of harm from acute health or mental health problems, injury and/or assault.

More information on drug use, its effect and the law, is available from NSW Health.

Any threat to injure or harm another person is considered to be an assault. This includes any pushing, pulling, smacking, holding, or touching of another person's body. Anything that would or does cause bodily injury, pain, discomfort, damage, insult or deprivation of liberty can be an assault or other serious offence.

If you have been assaulted or have witnessed someone else being assaulted, you should contact the police immediately.

1. In a life threatening or time critical emergency, dial 000 (triple zero).
2. For non-urgent crime, phone the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 who will take a police report and if necessary, arrange for police to attend.
3. Should you wish to remain anonymous when reporting a crime, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. It's a free call and rewards of up to $1,000 are offered for information that leads to an arrest.
4. You can visit your local Police Station to report a crime.

Sexual assault is any unwanted or forced sexual behaviour. Sexual assault can include rape, unwanted touching, sexual harassment or threats. It can also include being exposed to sexual situations against a person's will.

• Sexual assaults are often carried out by a person known to you rather than a stranger. Sexual assault is a crime. This does not change even if you know the person.
• If you wish to report an assault to the police and the assault has just happened, it is better not to change your clothes or wash beforehand.

Anybody who reports being sexually assaulted to the police should be taken or referred to their nearest sexual assault service. Information, counselling, support, court support, medical examination and treatment are available through sexual assault services.

NSW Rape Crisis Centre 24hr Crisis Line: (02) 9819-6565

Sexual Health Info Line: (02) 9382-7440

Lifeline 24hr. Counselling Line: 13 11 14

Unless you are under sixteen, no information about your contact with the sexual assault service will be given out without your permission.

For more information see the NSW Health Sexual Health Service.

Although World Youth Day 2008 falls in the middle of the Australian winter, you may choose to swim at our beautiful beaches or waterways. If so, remember:

• Never swim alone and keep an eye on friends in the water.
• Don’t swim at night.
• Always make sure you wear a hat, sun protective clothing and sunscreen when you are outdoors - even if it looks cloudy you can still get sunburnt.
• Always swim between the red and yellow flags. These flags mark the safest place to swim at the beach and indicate that the beach is patrolled by lifesavers.
• Never swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• If you don’t know the depth of the water, don’t dive in.
• Look for safety signs to help you identify potential dangers.
• If you get into trouble in the water, stay calm, raise your arm to signal for assistance.
• For additional safety information please go to Surf Life Saving Australia.

Whenever you visit a park or bushland, you need to take precautions.

• Before heading out, tell someone where you will be going, who is with you, what equipment you have and when you expect to return.
• Contact the park office to ask about local conditions, tracks, creek or river water levels and fire danger.
• Always make sure you wear a hat, sun protective clothing and sunscreen when you are outdoors - even if it looks cloudy you can still get sunburnt.
• During dry periods a Total Fire Ban may be declared in the park. At such times no fire or fuel stoves can be lit. You will need to bring pre-cooked or fresh food.

• Make sure you have at least three people in your group. If there is an emergency, at least one can go for help, while the other stays with the injured or ill person.
• Allow plenty of time to finish the activity in daylight, and pack extra food and water in case of unexpected delays.
• Carry a first aid kit and know how to use its contents.
• Many parks have only limited mobile phone coverage.
• For additional important safety tips please go to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.