"Clutha is huge for duck-shooting season. We’ve probably got one of the largest communities with firearms and firearms licences," Sgt Coudret said.
"It’s about getting the basics right.
"No drinking, and make sure your firearms and ammunition are safe and secure as you travel."
He said police and inspectors had the power to check firearms serial numbers on site against the firearms registry.
"Around this time of year we start to get an increase in reports of rural theft, particularly of firewood and diesel ... A key thing would be locking gates, but you need to check and use the security measures you have for them to work."
Thieves who targeted rural properties were well aware country distance and isolation could lead to complacency, in the form of unlocked doors and low security on farm properties, he said.
Burglary prevention packs, containing an official booklet on how best to access police support and assist them with community safety and crime prevention, are available now at Balclutha police station.
They contain a free invisible marker and advice to label property with a driver’s licence number for identification purposes in the event of theft.
"A lot of our workload involves the traffic side of things," Sgt Coudret said.
"State Highway 1 means a lot of vehicles moving through Balclutha.
He said the Balclutha volunteer fire brigade siren had sounded frequently of late.
"A lot of that could be mitigated by safety checks you can do yourself, you can check indicators lights and mirrors, and tyre pressure, wear and tread depth, because they do make quite a bit of a difference on frosty roads.
"Good clean windscreen glass and mirrors make all the difference when it’s raining and a lot of light is in your eyes."
"Unfortunately a couple of those callouts have been for accidents involving alcohol and speed.
"They continue to be our bugbear around here when the message is clear — if you have a drink, then you don’t drive."
