Going out partying with your friends is a big part of college life. In fact, there are entire movies based around doing just this. However, as fun as college nights out may be, it’s important to remember that they can also be dangerous. You probably don’t like to think about it, but there are a lot of unsafe situations that you can get into when you’re out and about at night, so it’s vital that you minimise the dangers as much as you can. Here are seven safety tips to follow to ensure you make it back to your dorm room happy and healthy.
Go Out In A Group
Everyone always feels safer when they’re surrounded by a group of people they know and trust, so if it’s possible, you should always go out in a group. After all, there is safety in numbers, so, at the very least, you should go out with one other person, and keep checking with each other throughout the entire night. Of course, you don’t have to stick by each other the whole time, but neither of you should leave without the other one, and you should keep an eye on one another.
Charge Your Phone
The last thing that you need is for an emergency to arise and for you not to be able to contact someone, so it’s essential that your phone is fully charged when you go out. Make a point of plugging it in when you start to get ready, and it should be at 100% by the time you leave. However, phone batteries can drain pretty quickly, so if you generally use yours a lot while you’re out, you may want to carry a portable charger or charging phone case too.
Carry Emergency Cash
Anything can happen on a night out, so you shouldn’t rely on your cards or phone to pay for everything. It’s important that you also bring some cash with you, and that you store this cash somewhere different to where you’re putting your phone and cards. This means that, if someone steals your cards or phone, or you lose them, you’ll still have your emergency money to get you a cab ride home.
Always Watch Your Drink
You should never leave your drink unattended, no matter the circumstances. It doesn’t matter if you’re going to use the bathroom, hit up the dance floor, or you want to go outside for a breath of fresh air. If you’re not holding your drink, then someone could slip something into it, and this could lead to some very scary situations. If you don’t want to take your drink with you, then let a friend take care of it, or leave it behind and get a new one later.
Have A Ride Home
If you’re going to be drinking and can’t drive yourself, then you need to figure out your ride home before you go out. This could be from a sober friend, or it could be from a taxi, uber, or lyft. Just make sure that whoever’s driving you is definitely capable, even with ubers, as uber and lyft accidents are a lot more common than you might think. Whatever you do, don’t walk home, as this could be incredibly risky.
Stay Alert And Moving
When you’re outside at night, it’s important that you’re aware of what’s going on around you, and that you keep moving. If you stop in the middle of the street to take your keys out or answer a text, then you’re giving someone an easier opportunity to attack you. To make things easier, you should get your keys out in the car, and call someone, rather than text them. Just make sure that you don’t get distracted by the conversation.
Get Some Pepper Spray
If someone tries to harm you, it’s vital that you have a way to defend yourself. Because of this, you might want to consider carrying pepper spray around with you, at least while you’re out at night. This will incapacitate your attacker and give yourself a chance to escape and call the police. You can find some pretty small cans, so you could easily attach one to your keys, or carry it in a pocket or small bag.
You’re allowed to go out and have fun in college, but that doesn’t mean that you should throw your own safety out the window. If you want to make sure that your nights out are actually a good time, then remember these simple tips.
