Halloween is a great holiday, and nowhere is it better celebrated than on college campuses. However, even older “kids” need to follow some safety tips. Here are few to help you enjoy your holiday trouble-free!
- Watch your drinking! Not all parties will have alcohol, but if you are of legal age, drinking might be on your agenda. Please watch your alcoholic intake. All sorts of bad decisions can be made when you are not totally in control, or you might become so confused, disoriented or unable to function that you are at risk. The most fun way to avoid all of this is to use the buddy system. Go to the party with a good friend and monitor each other’s behavior. If you see your friend doing something out of character, step in. Use a predesignated question or excuse to pull them aside and then figure out what’s going on. This may be time to switch to water, hot chocolate or a soft drink for the rest of the evening. Or you could decide to go back home and continue the evening with a scary movie and popcorn. Remember, for this system to work, you have to trust the person to have your back and to be honest with you, and you have to be willing to do the same with them. You also must make a pact that you will not leave the party unless you leave together.
- Watch your drink–literally! If you decide to go to a large party, always pour your own drink or order it directly from the bar yourself. That makes it much easier to track how much alcohol you are drinking, and ensures that nobody has slipped something into your drink. Also, never leave your drink unattended, even for a moment. If you do leave it, don’t drink it. Get a fresh drink to ensure your safety!
- Never drink and drive. This should go without saying, but we are saying it, anyway! Plan your exit strategy before you leave home. Designate a driver. Locate the nearest bus route, or map out the walk home. No designated driver available? Is it too far to walk safely home? Then, take extra cash with you and plan on taking a cab home.
- Let your friends know where you are going and when they should expect your return. The easiest way to do this, of course, is to go with a group. Just like the buddy system above, traveling and partying are always more fun when you are going with a group of people you know well, and this safety net of friends is the best way to avoid harm. If you are going to a party for members only, and your roommate or best friend can’t attend, make sure you give them an approximate time to expect you home. Then, if something changes, send a quick text to update them on what’s happening. That way, they will have your back if something goes wrong.
- Always have your cell phone with you. Call for help if you need it. Use it to post about your wonderful evening if you don’t. Either way, having a phone is a very good idea!
Having a safe and fun time during the Halloween season is easy if you expect the unexpected and have strategies for anything that might go wrong or right. Whether you attend a huge party at a downtown venue or a small party at home with friends, we wish you a wonderfully safe and scary Halloween!
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