Tips for Personal Safety

No matter how safe and secure you may feel in your home, work, school, or community, it is always important to practice good personal safety habits. It is when we assume that we are at no risk that we become vulnerable to possible crime and attacks.

Evaluate your own current safety practices and make adjustments where needed. Talk to your roommates about what you can do to make your apartment a safer place and implement some of the following tips.

1. The most important thing you can do to be safe is to be aware. Be aware of your surroundings – the environment and the people in it. Be aware of your feelings and follow your instinct – if you feel uncomfortable about something, trust your conscience and don’t do it!
2. For dates, day-long events, or if you’re going somewhere by yourself, tell your roommates where you’re going, who you’re going with, and when you should be back. Bring your phone in case you have a change of plans, your roommates need to get a hold of you, or if you have a problem. Communication is key! Make sure your cell phone is charged at all times too.
3. When you’re walking home at night, try to walk in well-lit areas where there are other people. Avoid deserted or risky areas. Walk confidently with your head up and be alert! Keep your hands free rather than being overloaded.
4. In your apartment, be diligent about locking the door! It’s smart to lock the door whether no one is home, everyone is home, or you are by yourself. Keep your house key in a safe place. Consider answering the door in person too, rather than inviting anyone who knocks on the door to “come in.”
5. When driving your car, park and drive in well-lit and populated areas. Make sure to roll your windows up and lock your doors. Have your keys ready when you get to your door so you don’t have to fumble in your pocket or purse.

You may also want to review these suggestions for safety when running or walking outside:

1. Let your roommates know your route or the general area you will be and how long you expect to be gone.
2. Run facing on-coming traffic.
3. Leave your headphones at home.
4. Carry personal identification or write it on the inside of your shoes.
5. Bring a friend!
6. Run when it is light outside and in open, populated, and well-lit areas.
7. Before crossing the street, make eye contact with the drivers at the stops. Don’t assume traffic will stop for you.
8. Bring your cell phone.
9. Change up your route; run at different times of the day and on different courses.

Above all, BE SMART! YOU are important. Do not compromise your own safety and well-being!

Sources:
Cohen, Jamie. "Personal Safety Tips for Women." ABC News. ABC News Network, 06 Jan. 2006. Web. 11 June 2013.

RRCA. "RRCA General Running Safety Tips." Road Runners Club of America. RRCA, 2013. Web. 11 June 2013. <http://www.rrca.org/education-advocacy/rrca-general-running-safety-tips/>.

SAFE. Best Practices for Personal Safety On and Off Campus. San Francisco: SAFE, 2006. Print.

SAFE. Personal Safety Guide For Everyone. June 2008. San Francisco SAFE, Inc., San Francisco.

SAFE. SAFE's Guide to Walking & Running. 2008. San Francisco SAFE, Inc., San Francisco.