Heading Back to Campus? Know These Common Safety Tips

Thousands of local college students will soon be heading back to campus. The start of the fall semester is an exciting time of year for incoming freshmen and returning students alike, but it can be easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of campus life and not be as vigilant about personal safety as we should be.

To help our readers start the year off on a positive note, Marcia Peot, a full-time police officer and chief safety officer at StreetSafe is sharing some common safety tips.

• Let friends or roommates know where you are going, who you are with and when to expect you home.
• Never leave outside doors propped open, and don’t let strangers into secured buildings or residence halls.
• A stranger is still a stranger, even if they are a fellow student. Do not accept a ride or go off somewhere alone with a person you don’t know.
• Do not drink in excess. When you do so, your ability to make decisions becomes impaired, making you an easy target.
• When approaching your car or residence, have your keys in your hand and check the area for suspicious individuals or activity.
• When walking by yourself, keep expensive belongings such as laptops hidden. You will be less of a target.
• The beaten path is the better path. Do not take short cuts and familiarize yourself with the area before heading out.
• Consider taking extra measures to protect yourself. StreetSafe is a personal mobile security service that combines the GPS technology in your smart phone with a 24-hour call center. StreetSafe has two main features: a silent alarm and a unique Walk With Me service, which allows users to connect with a live, trained safety advisor who will stay on the phone with you until you reach your destination safely.