Top 10 Back-To-School Safety Tips
- Rely on the gift of intuition, trust your instincts. If you feel that the guy is a creep, he likely is. If you feel that you are in danger, you likely are.
- Go to people, be with people. Avoid being isolated or alone with strangers.
- When you arrive on campus familiarize or reacquaint yourself with the campus, housing and your surroundings.
- Have a plan. Explore the “what ifs?” What do I do if someone tries to break into my dorm, someone is following me, someone is stalking me... Making decisions while under stress or duress is the worst time to make any type of decision.
- Facebook, Twitter and MySpace are all wonderful social networking sources but they remain a stalkers dream. The college campus is a closed community and social networking sites are a tool the stalker uses to accomplish his/her desire.
- The buddy system. Go out as a group, go home as a group. If you see something is out of place address it or bring it to the attention of someone in authority.
- Don’t accept a drink from someone you don't trust your life with. Watch the drink being poured or served and remember that the bartender and predator sometimes act in concert.
- If you see something, say something. If you observe a friend doing something odd or acting out of character don't be afraid to intervene.
- Create and share a secret signal with your friends for when they should intervene if you’re in an uncomfortable situation.
- Do your best not to go out alone at night. If you do walk with a roommate or someone you trust. Avoid the ATM and jogging during darkness. Don’t put music headphones in both ears so that you can be more aware of your surroundings.