Mental Awareness and Preparedness Mental awareness and preparedness

Mental Awareness and Preparedness Mental awareness and preparedness are two important aspects of personal safety. Be constantly aware of your surroundings and have a plan for certain emergencies. Know you levels of awareness. Constant high awareness can lead to burnout and anxiety. Your level of awareness will, and should, vary. A low level of awareness may be in order when you are watching a movie in the comfort of your dorm room or home. A moderate level of awareness may be in order when in a familiar public area but it is bustling with people unknown to you like when on campus. A high level of awareness may be in order when you are in an area which is new to you and is known to have a high crime rate.

Developing Your Personal Safety Strategy A safety strategy is a plan to minimize your risks and prepare your for situations that can occur in your daily life. Some ideas to help build your safety strategy include: PERSONAL LIFE Save local law enforcement contact numbers in your phone. Some areas offer to text 911. Avoid isolated bus and subways stops if using public transportation. When riding the bus, sit close to the driver or an exit. Know where the emergency call buttons are located. Consider using a personal alarm if out and worried about criminal confrontation. Do not go to parties alone. Never leave your drink unattended or accept open drinks from someone you don’t know. Don’t accept rides from those drinking or doing drugs.

CONTINUED… Let TRUSTED people know your schedule (e. g. friend or roommate) so that if something were to happen to you, they would know something was wrong. Make a plan to get home before the evening begins and stick to it. Know the warning signs for when a classmate may become violent. This could include strange and unusual behavior, verbal or written threats, unreciprocated romantic obsession, displays of unwanted anger, inability to take criticism, drastic change in a belief system, and lack of concern for self or others.

ON CAMPUS Subscribe to campus alerts. Save both emergency and non-emergency campus numbers in your phone. Know the location of Campus Security and Blue Lights. Take the time to familiarize yourself with campus landmarks and streets so that you can navigate the area. Be observant when walking through campus or around town. Walking with headphones in or while walking looking at your phone can make you a target.

CONTINUED… Be especially careful at night. When going out, take a friend along and never go alone. Look into what resources your campus offers for escorts. When studying in the library, be observant and go with a study buddy and avoid non-populated areas or rooms. Always approach your car with your keys out and ready to use. Avoid filling your arms with books or personal belongings when going to and from your car. Keeping one arm free can be important to defending yourself.

RESIDENCE Most residence halls are equipped with quality locking systems. Use them! Always lock your door when you leave even if it is for a short period of time. If you have roommates make sure they lock the door. Close your curtains so people cannot see in. Get to know your roommate and other students at your residence halls. Develop a system for looking out for one another. If your key is ever lost or stolen, notify campus security or residence life. Insist that the lock on your door be changed. Know your flood and residence hall safety plans for fire, natural disasters, and shelter in place.

CONTINUED… Do not allow strangers to follow you into your residence halls building unless you know they live in the building or have permission to enter. If a stranger knocks on the door and claims to be with campus maintenance or security, ask for credentials. DO NOT put your name and address on your key/key rings. Bring all of your supplies and a friend to shared laundry rooms. Be observant and careful using shower facilities in communal restrooms, especially when it’s late and you are alone. Do not leave notes on your door indicating your absence or whereabouts.

TECHNOLOGY SECURITY The use of social media, cell phones, online shopping, and banking are now every day practices but they can leave users vulnerable to having personal information stolen so here’s how to avoid a criminal attack: Sign up or check your campus’s computing system alerts. High-risk events such as phishing attacks and scam messages are usually posted to make students aware. Update your anti-virus and security software regularly. Change your passwords often. Don’t use easy to guess PINS or passwords and do not auto-save them into your computer or cell phone.

CONTINUED… Don’t click on any links or graphic hyperlinks you don’t know. Run credit reports. Limit how often your give out personal information. Monitor your accounts on a regular basis. If you receive mail, be careful with bank documents, credit card offers, loan information, etc. Shred any item with personal information before throwing away.

PHONE SECURITY Use a screen lock in case you lose your phone. Do not give out personal information to people who call you! Also never give information to callers that say you have won something or you’ve been selected for a special offer. Never give callers answers to any questions concerning your daily routine, bank accounts, credit cards, social security number, address, or other personal information. Be wary of callers who claims to be law enforcement, tax agencies, banks or other companies saying that your owe fines or late fees. Be wary of text messages asking for private information.

SOCIAL MEDIA Make sure your social media accounts are private. Know who you are sharing information with and think about if they really need the information. Do not post specifics of your location on any social media platform. Information shared online is stored forever! Employers and recruiters can use social media to vet you. Protect your reputation and think before you post. A scam rising in popularity is “sextortion, ” where a criminal obtains photos or claims to have pictures or someone and threatens to share the image if the individual does not comply with the criminal’s request.

CYBERSTALKING/CYBERBULLYING Cyber stalkers target and gain access to their victims through various online channels. Be careful with who you share your information with and if you think you are being stalked, talk with campus security or local enforcements. Cyberbullies usually focus on electronic information and communication devices. They often use social media or text messages to harass or humiliate victims. While they may not create physical harm, cyberbullying situations can easily escalate. Many schools have a conduct code that protects victims of cyberbullying. If you are being bullied or you know of someone being bullied online, do not be afraid to report the activity to your campus authorities or local law enforcement.