School Safety Tips

Tips to Make Sure You are as Safe as Possible in the Event of an Emergency.

Advice Seeker: Dear April,

Ever since the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech, I've been extremely nervous and scared. I'm starting college in the Fall and, while I was very excited for it, I'm now just scared to leave my friends and family to live on a campus where anything can happen. I'm even thinking about transferring to a community college in my hometown so I don't have to leave my family. Do you have any advice for how I can stay safe while away at college?

Sincerely,

Safe at School

April Masini's advice:

Dear Safe at School,

College decisions will definitely be impacted by the shooting at Virginia Tech. Students choosing a school where they will attend daily, not to mention their parents, are expecting safety. They're expecting not to be shot or killed in the course of a day. Sadly, but realistically, universities and colleges that don't take security seriously are going to see a dip in their enrollment.

The reality is that terrorism takes all forms today -- from foreign, sophisticated terrorist networks, to loners who have access to a weapon. And no one is 100% safe. That said, universities and colleges can accept the reality and impose standards of safety to meet today's challenges, or they can stick their heads in the sand and pretend "it doesn't happen here." The reality is, it does. From ivy league to community college, students are less safe than ever.

Security at colleges will soon be the new, hot industry. Especially when students and parents decide not to attend or send their children to enroll in universities where safety does not take the same priority as SAT scores.

10 Tips To Take Care and Stay Safe:

1. Carry a cell phone that is fully charged. Get into the habit of doing so. You can call for help if you have your cell phone, and if it's charged.

2. Only contract with a cell phone company that directly connects you to 911 if you dial it. You'd be surprised how many cell phone companies don't.

3. Refuse to attend a school that does not have security measures that make you feel safe.

4. Refuse to live in a dorm that does not have a 24-hour security guard, camera system, and state of the art security plan.

5. Keep your computer on. In emergencies, e-mail and campus websites can be a great source of information.

6. Coordinate with a dozen friends (and if you don't have a dozen friends, make them for this purpose) and set up an emergency only website or MySpace or some type of site where you can quickly share information in case of a problem.

7. Listen to your instincts. Too often we override our own instincts with "rational" thoughts. If you don't listen to your instincts, listen to your mother.

8. Know the exits and entrances to your building -- whether it's a classroom building or a dorm or a movie theater. Be aware of where you can enter and exit in case of emergency.

9. Keep your car's gas tank full. If you are able to get to your car in an emergency, make sure it will be able to run!

10. Don't deny. Problems of all magnitude happen. Being aware of what they are, what they could be, and what they have been will give you a jump on being prepared, and preparedness is a safety measure.