Written by Kara Rhian Pugh (Swansea Student) &
Georgia Hathaway (Cardiff Student)
Going out in a new place can be a daunting experience for even the biggest party animal. You can be having the time of your life but it can all be ruined if you don’t stay safe. So if you want to have a great night out and be aware of the dangers, just follow these helpful tips.
Travelling Safely
Travel in groupsAlways make sure you go out and come home in groups as students travelling home alone are prime targets for robbery and sexual assault. Always stay on lit paths and
don’t walk in unfamiliar areas. Girls, it might be worth stuffing some cheap flip-flops or pumps in your bag to change into if you plan on walking home. Some clubs even have vending
machines which stock shoes that you can roll up into your bag. Check out: http://www.rollasole.com/uk/
Travelling by taxi or busDon’t get into an unlicensed cab on your own. When arranging a journey using a licensed private hire vehicle or organised bus, it is advisable to arrange a fare with the operator at the time of booking and ask the length of wait. Some companies also offer a ringback or a textback service.
Set aside travelling money: Make sure you save money aside for the taxi into town and to go home. You could even put money in your shoes or bra so you don’t accidentally spend it in town!
Drinking Safely
Playing Safe: Everyone reacts differently to alcohol. Your height, weight and gender are just some of the factors that play a part in how alcohol affects you. So, if you want to enjoy a
drink and stay safe your best bet is to stick to the recommended guidelines. You can find them here at: http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/
Drink- spiking
Drink spiking is when mind-altering substances, such as drugs or alcohol are added to your drink. The people who are most at risk from drink spiking are those who regularly drink too much alcohol.
Keep control of your drinkAccording to the Home Office, there are nearly 12,000 ‘reported’ cases of drinks being spiked. http://www.drinkspikedetector.
Prevent your drink being spikedIf someone offers to buy you a drink, make sure you witness them buying it and
giving it to you, even if you know who they are. Bottles are always safer than glasses. You can cover the lid on bottles or use bottle stoppers to prevent any potential spiking. Spikey’s
can be purchased at http://www.spikey.co.uk/Spikey-Order.asp
Stay by your drink Common mistakes students make when going on the dance floor or outside to smoke is to leave their drink unattended. This could allow other people to spike your drink and return it without you even noticing.
Protect your valuables
Protect your mobile phone and wallet: Try to keep your phone on you and don’t put it in your back pocket. Girls, try and put it in the inner pockets of your handbag (or bra!!!) so that it’s out of sight. As for purses and wallets, only take the money and cards you absolutely need and keep it on you at all times. Ideally, leave the bank cards somewhere safe at home and just take the cash and I.D you need.
Protect your handbagTry to wear a bag with a strap if you can, ones you can wear across your body are ideal.
But if you can’t resist the clutch bag, always hold it firmly, wedge it under your arm when dancing and ask a reliable friend to take care of it if necessary.
Fighting
Don’t get involved in fights: If someone is looking for trouble then walk away. If someone you know is in a fight, it can be tempting to jump in and protect them but this will make matters worse. Even if you are involved in a fight, apologise then back away and find the nearest security staff or police. Don’t let fighting ruin your night.
If you take these tips into consideration, then you can have a fun and safe night out at university. As the old saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry!
