College Safety for Students
Posted in In the news, Leisure on October 10, 2022
While many students have settled into college life this past month, safety remains a top priority. According to research by ADT, 97% of students feel they take account of their safety on and off campus in their daily lives. We have created a list of helpful tips for students and parents to ensure safety while on campus.
Tips for Students
- Be alert.
- Always watch your surroundings, especially when walking on or off campus. Avoid distractions like listening to music that would prohibit these senses.
- Carry a self-defense device.
- Amazon and other websites offer an assortment of safety devices and keychains to make students safer.
- Lock your doors.
- Practice the safety habit of locking doors as soon as you get home. You never know when someone will accidentally or purposefully enter your home.
- Pay attention to safety protocols.
- During orientation, guides will review the protocols to keep students safe, like blue light security or university-specific hotlines.
- Avoid walking alone at night.
- Walking alone can make someone a vulnerable target. Have a friend, someone from class or a safety officer walk you back to your home.
- Understand the area.
- Make sure to learn about the college’s area, such as places to avoid, safe walking paths, and where to locate help when needed.
Tips for Parents
- Be a supportive parent.
- As a parent, you are your children’s biggest supporter. College is complicated and if they come to you with serious topics, take the time to listen and give advice.
- Check-in.
- Without being overbearing, ensuring your child is safe is essential. This could include seeing that they returned home safely after a late class or making sure they got home from a night out with friends.
- Encourage exploration.
- Once a student understands the area, it is important to encourage exploring what their college town has to offer. They may stumble across a coffee shop, library, or restaurant they wouldn’t have known before.
- Discuss situations before they arise.
- If you haven’t already had discussions on college life, consider addressing them with your child. This can teach situational awareness and what to do if something occurs.