The Safety Forums held at Warilla and Oak Flats Community centres have now ceased.

Shellharbour City Council has replaced the Safety Forums with pop-up Safety Meetings.

These meetings will be held each month and will be located in areas which have reported safety issues. To find out these locations, either look at Shellharbour City Council Facebook page, or phone the community safety officer on 4421 6170.

With the weather soon warming up, remember to protect your valuables when going to the beach and also to be careful where you park your vehicle, leaving nothing of value in sight in the vehicle.

Always remove the keys even when parked in your own driveway.

This summer has been flagged as a bad one for bushfires. New laws have just been approved for the removal of certain large trees growing close to houses and also the clearing of low scrub within a certain radius of the house.

Council permission should be sought prior to any trees being removed.

Don't think your area won't burn. The Blue Mountains thought that last summer.

The Illawarra Mercury has been running a crime column. I have been collecting the information in July covering Helensburgh to Nowra. The most concerning categories were domestics, driving offences and accidents. The next four are fairly equal. They are assaults, break and enter, noise complaints and stealing.

If you are going away tell your neighbours.

Have them pick up your papers and mail, and if they have a spare vehicle park it in your driveway. Do the same for them when they are away. Also leave a contact number with a neighbour.

Leave low wattage outside lights on permanently or use timers and others will not know you are away. If you see anyone acting suspiciously ring the police on 4232 5599, or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000. If you see a crime, ring 000.

Frank Gavin