Most people believe that a college town is a safe place to be because it is full of a bunch of harmless students. However, that is definitely not the case. Although it's not every day that you hear of college students getting kidnapped, it is a very common thing. The sex-trafficking industry targets college students and terrifyingly enough is around college campuses constantly. Just in my university alone, I've heard multiple rumors about girls getting chased into their homes, being followed or even random people entering their homes. What makes it even worse is that my university isn't the only place that this is happening. Every day, nationwide, these things occur. Since most people assume that a situation like this won't happen to them, they are often unprepared in the case that it does. With that being said, safety is key and you should always be prepared, even if you think it couldn't happen to you.
So, here are 11 strategies that will help to keep you safe in your college town.
Always be aware of your surroundings.
This may seem like a given, but is very easy to not pay attention to your surroundings. If you're cautious about what is going on around you, you will be able to recognize when you're in danger. This means you should put your phone down when you're walking and watch what is in front of you, whether it be walking to your car, your door or just down the street.
Keep your doors and windows locked.
If someone were to come into your house, their initial attempt to access would be through any unlocked doors or windows. It's important that you keep them locked. If there is an intruder, they will most likely give up and move on when they realize that they can't get into your house without force.
Don't walk alone at night.
The most common time for people to be attacked is after dark or early in the morning. It is so dangerous to walk around alone during these times because it is harder for you to see your surroundings and expect that something could happen.
Know who to contact in case of an emergency.
Every college has emergency contact information. My school has it on the back of our ID cards for us to always have access to it. This includes the phone number to our local police department, on-campus police, security and other resources that we have on campus. Knowing what numbers to call when you're in danger is important so that you can immediately get help.
Know how to describe situations if you report them.
People don't realize the importance of being descriptive when you do make a report. This includes providing specific details in descriptions of suspects, remembering times and places of the incident, etc. This would help the authorities better investigate the issue and reach results.
Learn how to defend yourself.
In the event that you ever are in danger and somebody does try to attack you, you need to defend yourself and try your hardest to not panic. You could take a simple self-defense class or even just watch some tutorials. It's better to know how to defend yourself, even if it's just a little, rather than not know how to defend yourself at all.
Don't venture into unknown areas (especially if you are under the influence).
Many people who are under the influence have a tendency to wander around. This is INCREDIBLY dangerous. Not only are you in a place that you're unfamiliar with and puts you in danger, but you're also putting yourself at risk of getting lost.
Carry pepper spray or mace on your key chain.
Although carrying around mace on your keychain may seem scary, it's sealed and the probability that you will spray yourself is very low. It's not difficult to pull out quickly in case of an emergency and is also small and light to carry around. It will also make you feel a little safer knowing that you have something there to protect you.
Don't get into a ride with someone you don't know alone.
So many college students are guilty of this. They will hop in an Uber or a ride from a stranger completely by themselves. We shouldn't have to worry that sometimes they may not take us to our destination, but in this day and age, that possibility isn't impossible. Always double check to make sure you're in the right car and that they're taking you the correct address.
Make sure that your phone is charged prior to going out.
If your phone dies while you're out, you'll have no way to call for help if you're in trouble. Always be sure to have your phone charged before you go out so that the battery lasts as long as possible. I always turn my phone on "low battery mode" so that it conserves it more.
Only allow people you know and/or trust into your home.
You don't have to have random people in your home, let alone around your things. Unless you know for sure that somebody won't steal from you or hurt you, I would be cautious on who you let walk through the front door.
Always be cautious, but don't make yourself paranoid.
Being prepared is always the key to keeping yourself safe. However, just because you're prepared, it doesn't mean you should be running around constantly paranoid about somebody kidnapping or attacking you. Don't go around living your life in fear. There's a difference between maintaining your safety and driving yourself crazy.
Even though you can't stop danger from being all over the world, you can at least take precaution and keep yourself safe in your own community. Even though many may seem silly or unnecessary, you definitely won't regret adding these strategies into your life. Not only will you feel safer, but you'll know exactly what to do if you ever are cornered into dangerous situations.
