Now that you have tossed that graduation cap, packed up your dorm room, it’s on to the next chapter of your life! Congratulations on reaching this milestone! While these times are so exciting, they can also be somewhat scary, and maybe even a little uncertain. Whether you are settling into your hometown or starting fresh in a new area, keeping safety in mind is key. Here are some tips to help you feel prepared and not scared.
- Stay Aware: No matter the time of day, stay tuned in to your surroundings. Notice the people, cars, and even the animals around you, anything that could potentially become a threat. Not doing this to become paranoid, but it’s important to establish a baseline of what is “normal” to the area. Getting a feel for what is normal in your area helps you spot anything out of the ordinary quicker.
- Share Your Plans/Location: As you begin to explore the new neighborhood, share with a trusted friend your location or itinerary, it’s like having a safety buddy just in case there is an emergency. And don’t forget to stay connected to your family and friends regularly.
- Secure Your Space: If moving into a new apartment, make sure you check all door locks and any window locks for windows that can be easily accessible from the outside. Always use the deadbolt. Adding an additional door lock or alarm can give you some peace of mind.
- Social Media Safety: While you are eager about your new adventure, be careful how much information you share on social media. Revealing too much information, such as your new address (even standing at your front door in a picture can show a house number), can attract unwanted attention.
- Arm Yourself Safely: Think of yourself like a superhero gearing up for action. Consider a pepper spray for a distant threat, or a stun device or striking tool for up-close defense. Having these safety tools on you at all times while out and about, and having them in your hand, not buried inside your purse is so important. The first 20 seconds of an attack is crucial, so be ready to defend yourself.
- Know Your Tools: It’s not just about having safety gear; it’s knowing how to use it effectively. Do you know the proper way to deploy pepper spray? Or that it expires? Can you use a stun device as a distance tool? Educate yourself, it could just save your life!
- Emergency Contacts: Keep a list of emergency numbers readily available. The local police, fire and emergency needs, and your apartment manager or superintendent.
- Know Your Neighbors: Know your neighbors, your apartment manager might point you to a friendly face who’s been around awhile. Introduce yourself to them, as you are comfortable, as they can become a valuable resource to you.
- Maintenance Matters: Make sure you change the batteries in any smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detectors, and keep those changed regularly. Most recommend twice a year as the time changes.
- Trust Your Instincts: Last, but definitely not least, trust your gut! Your instincts are usually spot-on, so if something feels off, listen to it!
Best of luck with your new move, and know that keeping these safety tips in mind should become a habit, but will take some time if you aren't already safety minded. Start with a couple of these and build on them as you go, but I would suggest making your safety a top priority.
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