When celebrating Halloween this year, be smart! Here are a few tips to keep you safe and sane this Halloween:
- Stay in groups – This is an obvious tip, but it is important enough to be reiterated. Sticking with a group of friends is definitely the safest thing you can do. Never leave a party without at least one other person and never let friends go off by themselves. There is always safety in numbers, and that’s even more important on crazy weekends like Halloween. Remember, no one left behind!
- Keep your phone with you (and charged)! – Don’t leave your phone in a bag somewhere or give it to someone else to hold. If you do get separated, you will need it to call someone for help. Make sure it’s charged, so that you are able to use it should you need to. A dead phone isn’t going to help anybody. Put an emergency number in your cell phone such as DPS (315.443.2224), your friend’s and maybe even your friend’s roommate. If you get lost or separated, you’ll want to know who to call. Also, carry your cell phone on you at all times. Think about costume choice, is there a place for your phone, if not, wear something under your costume that can securely hold your phone.
- Set limits and stick to them – No one likes to hear this tip, but it’s always smart to set limits on how much you drink. It’s a good way to make sure that you don’t go too overboard and end up in a sticky situation. If of legal drinking age, don’t leave your drink unattended, and never accept a drink from someone you don’t know. The point is to have fun, not be the drunkest one at the party. Plus your friends want to have fun too, not be your babysitter.
- Party location – If you find yourself at a party where you don’t know a lot of people or the crowd seems sketchy, grab your friends and get out. Call it a night or go to a party with more of your friends and people you know.
- Hosting a party – Know who is at your house, be responsible when serving alcoholic beverages, and make sure you have non-alcoholic beverages for those under 21 years of age. Monitor!!!
- Look up safety escort shuttle number 315.443.7433 (RIDE) – Have this number before you go out and save it in your phone in case you need it.
- Have the number of a taxi company/Uber/Lyft – Although it sucks to have to pay for a ride, the price is small compared to what could happen if you tried to walk alone or got lost. Just like the safety escort number, keep a taxi company number stored in your phone as well. Sometimes the safety escort number gets backed up with so many calls, especially on a weekend like Halloween. If this happens, you will be ready with a backup that can get you home safely. There’s always the bus transportation on campus as well.
- Costumes – For the safety of yourself and others, don’t wear a costume that includes anything that could be confused with a real weapon. Don’t wear anything that could be taken as impersonating a police officer, and don’t wear anything too risqué. Remember, the goal of your costume isn’t to make it scary-short or scary-revealing… just scary! Be sensitive of others when choosing a costume or painting your face.
- Suspicious activity – If you see something, say something! If you see something or someone that is suspicious, call it into DPS or 911 and be prepared to provide the necessary information so the agency can investigate the incident.
- ID – Carry some form of identification on you at all times, should you become ill or injured and unable to identify who you are, authorities will need to know who to contact in case of an emergency.
No matter what your plans are this Halloween, remember these safety tips and you’re sure to have a fun and safe weekend.