Front Line Home Security

Young men and women are heading back to college in the next 2-3 weeks to begin a new journey.  For some this will be their first year but for others they are now college veterans.

 Going to college can be one of the greatest times of your life.  It is also a time when many young men and women find a reality that they may not have expected or are prepared for. 

 Prepare to be thrust into a much different lifestyle than what you have been living.  For women you may have to learn to be more tactful and assertive in certain types of situations.  Since crimes on campus are more prevalent among  young women -  following the common sense campus safety tips may prove to be very helpful.  

 You will be away from the watchful (and loving) eyes of “mom and dad”, so you will need the strength and wisdom of what you’ve learned from them.  As you leave home, your personal safety is going to be very important to your family and it should be to you as well.  It seems we hear way too about young college-aged women who have become victims of terrible crimes.  Don’t become a victim of crime.  In fact, refuse to be a victim of crime and follow the 20 common sense safety tips listed.

 Here Are 20-Common Sense Campus Safety Tips To Remember:

1. Travel in groups of two or more at night and always walk in well-lit, heavily traveled areas.
   2.   Learn the best routes between your residence hall, your classes, and activities.
   3.   Take the safest route – not always the fastest route.
   4.   Stay on the part of the sidewalk that is farthest away from shrubs, dark doorways, and alleys.
   5.   Share your class schedule with friends and family, effectively creating a buddy system.
   6.   When you go out, let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back.
   7.   Know where the emergency telephones are located. (See “Emergency Telephones.”)
   8.   Use the shuttle buses after dark.  After the shuttle buses have stopped running, call a trusted friend or a taxi service to get back to your dorm/apartment.     
   9.   Always listen to your instincts-your gut feeling-it may be alerting you to a dangerous situation or that      something is not quite right.  When you get that feeling, you need to get away from the situation as quickly as you can.
   10.  Do not leave your belongings unattended, even for a few minutes.
   11.  Avoid displaying large amounts of cash or other tempting targets such as jewelry or expensive clothing.
   12.  Always lock your bike or rent a bike locker to store your bike.
   13.  Always lock your car and keep valuables out of site. Check the back seat before getting in.
   14.  Always park in well-lit,  well-traveled areas of the parking lot.
   15.  Memorize the phone number of your University Police Department.
   16.  Remember, alcohol and/or drugs are involved in 90 percent of campus crimes.
   17.  If jogging alone in deserted areas – along the lake or on campus especially late at night – carry some type of personal protection device (pepper spray/stun gun/personal alarm/C2 Taser) in case you are attacked or assaulted.  Be sure to check campus policy on carrying personal protection.
   18.  Learn to be safety conscious – thinking that crime will never affect you is wrong – and it’s usually when you let your guard down that you may not recognize a dangerous situation.
   19.  Enroll in a RAD self-defense class on campus.  Most college campuses offer the RAD Self-Defense classes for free.  When you take the class – you will be amazed at how empowered and self-confident you will feel.
   20.  Wherever you are, stay in control of what goes on around you, stay aware and alert to your surroundings, and the actions of people around you.  

 Enjoy your 2010-2011 college school year.  Make your safety a priority, learn a lot at school, and have a great time!