Heading Back to Campus? Think Safety!

Parents and students: Time to head back to campus?

"The start of the fall semester is an exciting time of year for incoming freshmen and returning students alike," according to StreetSafe, a personal mobile security service that combines the GPS technology in smartphones with a 24-hour state-of-the-art call center, "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."

Whether you're a returning college student or a recent  graduate, here are some helpful safety tips from Marcia Peot, a full-time police officer and the chief safety officer for StreetSafe. 

1. Let friends or roommates know where you are going, who you are with and when to expect you home.

2. Never leave outside doors propped open and don't let strangers into secured buildings or residence halls.

3. 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 whom you don't know.

4. Do not drink in excess. When you do so, your ability to make decisions becomes impaired, making you an easy target.

5. When approaching your car or residence, have your keys in your hand and check the surrounding area for suspicious individuals or activity.

6. When walking by yourself, keep expensive belongings, such as laptops, hidden. You will be less of a target.

7. The beaten path is the better path. Do not take short cuts and familiarize yourself with the surrounding area before heading out.

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