Safety Tips:

Five things you can do
to help keep yourself safe

1. Never walk alone, especially at night.
   There are many options to keep you from being alone.  Campus escort will provide transportation to or from the university within two miles.  To use this service, call 742-6808 (it might be easiest to enter this into your cell phone right now, so it’s available when you want to use it, whether or not you have planned on it). 

   Another option is using the buddy system.  Make plans with friends in advance if you know you’ll be walking alone at night, and call a friend if you end up needing to walk alone at night.  If other groups of people are around, ask them if they would mind if you walked with them.

2. Use cellular and other phones effectively:
   Always keep a phone next to your bed, and if you must walk alone, keep a cell phone handy.  Be sure that you have enabled the “location” feature on your phone when available – this setting allows police access to the GPS signal emitted from your phone, so if you call 911, they can get a location from where you are calling.  To learn more about how to turn the location feature on, see your phone’s user manual.  If you have a Voice Over IP line (VoIP), be sure to keep your 911 location settings up to date.
   
   
3. Be aware of your surroundings, and look like you're aware of your surroundings.
   If you must be in a vulnerable situation, be sure to pay attention to everyone and everything around you.  Look for bushes or other places where people could be hiding.  Do not listen to your iPod, talk on your phone, or text while walking, as there’s no way to participate in these activities while fully attending to your environment.  It also might be helpful to keep something in your hands that looks like it could be used against a possible attacker.  This could be something as simple as keys, or could be a self defense tool such as a taser or mace.
   
   Another thing that can interfere with awareness and attention is alcohol.  If you plan on drinking, be sure you have a safe way to get home.  Do not walk, and especially do not walk alone. Now would be a good time to enter the number for a cab into your cell phone.  Two local cab companies are: Reno-Sparks Cab Co – 333-3333, and Whittlesea Checker Taxi – 322-2222.
   
   
4. Have a self-defense plan
   There are pros and cons to every method of self-defense. SAPAC does not make a stance as to what the best plan is; however, we do take a stance that you might help keep yourself safer by having a plan in terms of what you’re willing and able to do to fight back.  It’s often difficult to think logically during an attack, so it’s better to do the thinking before an attack occurs.  Keep this in mind when buying self-defense items such as tasers or pepper spray, and when taking martial arts or self defense classes. 
   
   
5. Lock doors and windows
   Even when you’re home, always keep your doors and windows locked.  Do not depend on anyone else – assume that your housemates have forgotten, and take it upon yourself to check locks regularly.  Back doors and garage doors are often forgotten – make a special effort to check these.  It may be difficult to keep windows locked at all times, especially during the summer.  If this is the case, it may be worthwhile to look into getting bars on your windows. 

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