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Personal Safety

You should never walk alone. However, if you must walk alone, have a plan and choose open, well-lit and well-traveled areas.

  • Walk so you are on the side of oncoming traffic.
  • Be cautious of drivers that stop to talk to you.
  • Be aware of your surroundings.
  • Never hitchhike.
  • Always tell someone where you’ll be and what time you are going to return.
  • Be alert when wearing headphones while walking or jogging; you need to be attentive to your surroundings at all times.
  • If you suspect you are being followed: cross the street, change directions, and keep looking back so the person knows you can’t be surprised. Enter a residence hall, library, etc. Look for a crowded area.
  • Trust your instincts: If something “feels wrong,” something probably is wrong.
  • If you find yourself in a situation with an assailant, don’t be afraid to loudly call attention to what the assailant is doing. Yelling “Help!”, “Get your hands off me”, or “This person is bothering me” will be effective.

In Your Vehicle

  • Always keep your doors locked.
  • Keep all valuables out of sight when your vehicle is parked.
  • Never pick up hitchhikers.
  • Stay alert. Be aware of your surroundings and have your keys ready before you get to your vehicle.
  • If someone approaches your vehicle and attempts to enter it while you are in it, blow the horn and drive away.
  • If you are confronted with an armed assailant, the decision to comply or resist is a personal decision based on the circumstances. Remember that any property you possess is not as valuable as your life.