Most college students have just settled in to the dorms or an apartment. For many, this will be their first time away from home for any extended period of time. College brings a sense of independence for most students. With so much anticipation and excitement, personal safety can be easily overlooked. Students may believe they are protected because they are surrounded by their peers and feel relatively insulated “in their own community – the college campus.” Unfortunately, crime can be just as high on campus as it is off campus.
Is your child prepared to step into this unknown territory? Will he/she be able to withstand peer pressure? Is your child prepared in case an emergency occurs?
Here are a several campus safety tips to share with your college kids.
Be aware of your surroundings. This is the single most important tip to ensure your personal safety. Know the all routes around campus. Be confident. Walk with your head up, look around, and notice everything. Be aware of anyone loitering or hanging around campus, your dorm, vehicle, etc.
Lock all doors and windows. When leaving your dorm or apartment, make sure that all doors and windows are locked - including the main building entry and exits. Never prop doors open. Do not loan your keys to anyone.
Plan ahead. Be safe when going out alone, even during daytime hours. Whether your plans are a social event or studying at the campus library, map out a safety plan in advance. Mention your plans to a friend and let someone know if your plans change. Avoid potentially unsafe shortcuts. Travel on well-lit and well-traveled streets. Carry emergency cab fare.
Avoid going out alone at night. Try to stay in a group. Let at least one person know where you are going and who you will be with.
Equip your cell phone. Program important phone numbers (campus security, police, etc.) in your cell for emergencies. Put the word “ICE” (in case of emergency) in your cell phone with a parent or guardian number programmed. The authorities know to look for this code in case an emergency occurs and they need to get in touch with a relative. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged before going out.
Always trust your instincts. Trust your intuition. If something seems “off” it probably is. Call the police or campus security if something doesn’t “seem” right.
Don’t carry too much money or wear expensive jewelry. Credit cards, driver’s license, and keys should be concealed in a zippered pocket, security belt or stash pouch. Make copies of important papers, credit cards, driver’s license, and insurance cards. Keep the copies in a safe place in case you need to report a lost or stolen document or credit card. Do not go to the ATM at night.
Watch your drink. Do not accept drinks (alcoholic or otherwise) from others. Alcohol is the # 1 date rape drug.
When dating, meet at a populated location. Choose a restaurant or other public location. Never meet in a dorm room or apartment.
Check around your vehicle as you approach it. If there is a van parked on one side of your car get in on the other side. Check under your vehicles and others around you.
Consider a wireless alarm system for your apartment or dorm. It is easy to set up, and you can take it with you when you move.
Practice Internet Safety. Use caution when posting personal information on social networking sites, such as Facebook. Avoid becoming friends with people you don’t know.
Don’t succumb to having your photo or personal information published for the campus community. It is not uncommon for upperclassmen and fraternities to use this information to “target” naïve freshmen on campus.
Call home once a week. Let your parents know what you plan for the week, dates, social events, etc. It is just another safety measure to give them peace of mind.
Colleges are generally safe places, but remind your kids to not let their guard down. Being armed with basic safety tips can significantly reduce their vulnerability. Book smart is something they can learn anytime; street smart is something they must know and practice every day of their life.
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