Here are some essential campus safety tips to help you stay safe while still having fun:
- Know Your Way Around Campus: Consider downloading a campus map and get to know your way around the school during the day when students and faculty fill the campus.
- Use Locks: Always lock your doors. This major deterrent can stop thieves in their tracks. Also, lock your car doors (even when driving) and keep valuables out of sight.
- Never Walk Alone After Dark: Always use the buddy system when walking at night. Campus Safety also offers courtesy escorts.
- Know Where the Emergency Phones Are on Campus: Each classroom has an emergency phone. Find the ones in your classrooms.
- Consider Carrying a Whistle, Pepper Spray, or Alarm: Any type of personal defense option, such as pepper spray or a whistle, may help stop an attack or alert a bystander that you’re in trouble.
- Take a Self-Defense Class: Knowing specific self-defense tactics can increase the odds of fending off an attacker. Many schools offer these classes for credit or for free.
- Take Advantage of Campus Escort Services: Most schools offer campus escort services, particularly at night. Call the public safety office for contact information and hours of operation.
- Be Aware of Your Social Media Settings: Check your social media settings and make sure only friends can see your posts. Also, disable location finders on social media sites that publicly share this information.
- Avoid Drinking Too Much: Drinking to excess can result in bad choices that put you in difficult and dangerous situations. If you do plan on drinking, never accept a drink poured by someone you don’t trust.
- Always Have Emergency Contacts in Your Phone: Make sure to input emergency contacts, such as the campus safety office, into your phone so you don’t need to look them up in an emergency.