General Safety Guidelines
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Learn your school’s safety guidelines and follow them. Read your school’s safety hand-book. Memorize the telephone number(s) for emergency help, such as 911. If possible, carry a cell phone with you at all times. Pre-program emergency telephone numbers in the phone to be able to call them quickly. |
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Drink responsibly, if at all. Don’t use drugs. Be careful around other persons who drink heavily and/or use drugs, too. |
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Always wear a seatbelt in a motor vehicle. Wear a helmet when riding on a motorcycle, bike, or when rollerblading. Don’t ride with a driver who has been drinking or doing drugs. Designate a sober driver. |
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To Avoid Being Robbed: |
When you go out, go with a friend or a group of people, especially at night and to unfamiliar places.
Use ATM machines in well-lit areas, preferably while a friend is with you.
Keep your doors and windows locked, especially when you are alone.
Lock your bike with a U-shaped lock that is hard for someone to remove.
Hold your backpack, purse, etc., securely so someone can’t grab it from you. Don’t leave these and other personal items, such as your laptop computer, unattended.
Have your car, house, or room keys in your hand, ready to unlock your doors.
Don’t let repair persons and maintenance staff in your dorm room or house without proper identification and authorization.
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To Avoid Fires: |
Don’t smoke in bed or when you are very tired. Better yet, don’t smoke at all!
Follow fire safety precautions when cooking in your dorm room or kitchen.
Follow your school’s policy on candle use.
Keep a working fire extinguisher in your dorm room or house.
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Report suspicious behaviors and activities to your school’s security or the police. |
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Try to avoid sexual assault. (See “Safety Tips to Reduce the Chances for Assault”.) |
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To Manage Conflict Without Violence: |
Be assertive, not aggressive when you communicate. (See “Communicate Effectively”.)
Learn to deal with frustration, disappointment, rejection, ridicule, jealousy, and anger.
Accept differences in others, including sexual preferences, ethnic and religious back-grounds, etc. You do not need to change your convictions, but don’t expect other persons to change theirs either.
Be an active listener. Pay attention to what the other person is saying and try to understand his or her point of view or simply accept it as an opinion.
Take a class or seminar in conflict resolution to gain skills in managing conflict.
When you can’t resolve a conflict on your own, get help. (See information below).
For Information, Contact:
Your school’s Student Health Service, Student Counseling or Mental Health Service, Office of Student Conflict Resolution, Office of the Ombuds or Student Affairs
The National Crime Prevention Council’s
Online Resource Center
www.ncpc.org
For Sexual Assault/Hate Crimes/Other Crimes
The National Center for Victims of Crime
800-FYI-CALL
www.nvc.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline
800-799-SAFE
www.ndvh.org