The Vistas Neighbourhood Watch, Emerald Lakes

07/05/2026

The May 2026 NHWA Journal is here!

In this issue:

🔒NSYHD Strengthens Home Security and Community Resilience
🏡Home ‘Crim’provement Campaign Encourages Safer Homes
🌐Supporting Online Safety for Young People
⚠️Online Shopping Scams: What You Need to Know
..and much more!

Free to read online - https://www.nhwa.com.au/news-media/journal/

Which story are you reading first?

Let us know in the comments 👇

07/05/2026

It’s Privacy Awareness Week! 🔒
This year’s theme is Trust is built here. In every privacy complaint. In every resolution.

Before you post photos of your kids online, take a quick moment to check what’s in the frame.

Details like school uniforms, name badges, school signage, street signs or recognisable landmarks can reveal more than you realise, including where your child goes to school or where you live.

That information can also be seen by unintended audiences if your privacy settings aren’t strong.

Check out our quick privacy check-in ✅

11/04/2026

24/01/2026

PSA: It's not just the daytime heat you need to watch 🌙

Queensland heatwaves are bringing higher overnight temperatures these days, which means your body doesn't get that cool-down recovery time it needs.

Those sticky 28°C nights are harder on your body than you might think. When it doesn't cool down overnight, heat stress and fatigue builds up.

Your move:
✓ Close blinds during the day
✓ Have a cool shower before bed
✓ Open up windows for cross-breezes at night
✓ Keep a spray bottle of water by your bed
✓ Check on elderly neighbours and relatives

Download our heatwave prep checklist for more ways to beat the heat.
https://ow.ly/c1K550XysqP

24/01/2026

Valuable Back to school advice for all parents, grandparents and carers. Let’s stop the naming of schools and class details too.

14/12/2025

With Christmas just around the corner, a new gaming console is sure to be on many wish lists🎮.

Take a look at our ‘Gaming, devices and what you need to know’ guide!

This resource assists parents and carers choose and set up new devices for your family, including tips to help keep children and young people safe online.

Happy gaming!

03/12/2025

☀️ Summer’s here, Queensland - are you storm ready? 🌩️

We all know how quickly those summer storms can roll in.

Now’s the time to get your home sorted before the BoM alerts start pinging your phone.

Start with the basics:
⛈️ clear your gutters, trim overhanging branches, and secure loose items in your yard.
⚡Got important documents or precious keepsakes? Make sure they’re stored somewhere safe and dry.
🌩️Don’t forget to chat with your family about your household severe weather plan – knowing what to do can make all the difference when the skies go dark.

Get your home ready for summer today.

To learn more 👉 https://www.getready.qld.gov.au/getting-ready/protect-your-home

26/11/2025

E-scooters & e-bikes - everything parents should know

Queensland Police Service (QPS) is urging parents to learn and understand their legal responsibilities when considering gifting e-scooters or e-bikes this

18/11/2025

Find out what you need to know to ride an electric bicycle.

18/11/2025

🌦️ Tsunamis, tornadoes and earthquakes… oh my!

You might have seen these events in the news and wondered: could that happen here in Queensland?

Here’s what we know 👇

🌊 Tsunamis: Extremely rare in Queensland, but they can happen. The shape of our coastline and the Great Barrier Reef help reduce their impact, but it’s still good to know the warning signs.
🌪️ Tornadoes: Can happen during severe thunderstorms. They’re usually brief and localised, and often part of the same systems that bring damaging winds or hail.
🌏 Earthquakes: Occasionally occur in Queensland, but most are small and cause little or no damage.

These events might be uncommon but understanding them helps us stay informed and prepared.

Queensland’s most regular weather challenges remain storms, cyclones, floods, and heatwaves, and those are the ones to plan for each year.

✅ Know your risk: learn about Queensland’s natural hazards and how they may impact you
✅ Make a plan: Make or update your household emergency plan
✅ Pack a kit: be ready for the unexpected and ensure you’re equipped with the essentials

👉 Visit getready.qld.gov.au to find out more.