Children, students, and adults across the country have been
anxiously preparing for this exciting time of year for days, months, weeks, and
even years and now it’s finally here! This weekend many people will celebrate
Halloween by wearing their favorite costumes, going to parties with friends,
haunted house hopping, or trick-or-treating.
But, even though it’s very exciting, Halloween celebrations
can also present some safety risks and potentially dangerous situations. Some
people use Halloween to scare or hurt others by insulting or assaulting them. Hence,
being mindful, aware, and prepared must still take foresight during this
exciting time of year as well.
Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to keep
yourself and your loved ones safe and to reduce your risks of being the victim
in a violent crime. Always remember that while having fun this year, your
personal safety cannot ever afford to be secondary to the excitement.
Our dear friend and partner, RAINN, has developed a very
comprehensive list of safety tips for your reference:
TIPS for
College-age Students:
1.
Trust your instincts. If you feel alarmed,
scared or creepy in any situation, go with your gut. If you see something spooky,
contact the local authorities immediately.
2.
Avoid being alone or isolated with a vampire
- - or any creature - - who you don’t know or trust. Make sure a dependable
friend knows where you are and who you are with at all times. Don’t leave your
group with anyone you’re not sure of – even if he or she asks. Say you’d rather
stay with the group.
3.
Know your surroundings and plan a Jack-o-lantern
lit route back to your house. Always carry emergency cash and keep phone
numbers to howl at local cab companies if needed. Have your charged cell
phone with you.
4.
Check in with your friends throughout All
Hallow’s Eve. Form a buddy system so that no one wanders off alone. Agree
on a secret “butt in” signal for uncomfortable situations, such as “Ghost”
or “Ghoul!”
5.
Don’t accept “potion” from people you
don’t know or trust and never leave your “potion” unattended. If you
lose sight of your “potion,” get a new one, and always watch your “potion”
being prepared.
6.
Don’t let your guard down. Do not assume that
the mummies, witches, and wizards you meet will look out for your best
interests!
7.
Watch out for your friends, and don’t be afraid
to intervene if a situation appears to be scaring your friend or is frightening
you. If your friend seems too drunk or is acting abnormally, get him or her to
a safe place immediately.
To check out the
full list, click here: http://www.rainn.org/news-room/news/Halloween-Safety-Tips.
