| 83% of college students will experience | | | | Throughout the college years, your child will |
| crime. What will the other 17 % do different? | | | | have plenty of stressors in their life, such |
| | | | as exams, papers, presentations, jobs, |
| I was sitting around the dinner table talking | | | | friends, and even family. If they are like |
| to my kids when the subject of college came | | | | the average college student, they will have |
| up. They shared all their hopes and dreams | | | | enough on their mind without having to worry |
| about the college life. I thought to myself | | | | about school safety, but unfortunately, in |
| man this a big step for kids who barely know | | | | this day and age, staying safe on campus is |
| how to clean their own room. They have no | | | | an issue that students must think about. |
| idea about the streets outside this | | | | Fortunately most crimes can be prevented with |
| community. | | | | extra precaution. |
| | | | |
| Since college was fast approaching for one of | | | | Tell your college student to only admit their |
| them. I began to think of ways I can make a | | | | visitors to the residence halls. Your |
| difference. Ideas started to come. I know I | | | | student can also aid in security by making |
| will tell them what friends to make. No, they | | | | sure outside doors of residence halls shut |
| rarely listen to that advice now. Oh I know, | | | | securely behind them. During peak hours, it |
| I will give them advice on getting good | | | | is a good idea to double check security doors |
| grades. No, better not, multiple guesses did | | | | as you enter and leave. When a door is left |
| not work well for me either. | | | | open, insist that your resident assistant or |
| | | | security guard check for doors left ajar |
| Hey, the college parties are always | | | | during the day and at night. |
| interesting. I will just tell them not to go | | | | |
| to those things no matter how much fun they | | | | Students should never loan their room key to |
| seem to be. Yeah, that will work. But wait, | | | | anyone under any circumstances. Make sure |
| they maybe several hundred miles away, how do | | | | your apartment or dorm room has secure locks |
| I know if they take my advice? How do I know | | | | on doors and windows. Always lock your |
| now? Sure they say OK. | | | | apartment or dorm room even if you are going |
| | | | to be gone for just a few minutes. Also be |
| It never dawn me to tell them how to stay | | | | sure to lock your doors at night as well. |
| safe and secure in an environment full of | | | | Have the locks changed if you ever lose the |
| ways to become a victim. The most | | | | keys to your residence. |
| significant contribution you can make to your | | | | |
| Kids College life is making sure they finish | | | | Criminals shy away from loud noise or |
| without becoming a victim of crime. | | | | attention so leave lights or a radio on at |
| | | | your apartment so it looks like someone is |
| Going to college is a slam dunk decision for | | | | always home. Never open the door for someone |
| most people. The average college graduate | | | | you do not know. Ask anyone who gives you a |
| earns 70 percent more than those who stop at | | | | ride home to wait around until you have |
| a high school diploma. Because crime on | | | | safely entered your apartment or dorm |
| college campuses has been on the rise within | | | | building. |
| the past few years, it is crucial for | | | | |
| students to follow certain safety tips. | | | | College is stressful enough without having an |
| | | | act of crime divert you from the road to |
| Criminals choose college students because | | | | success. Have you college student learn |
| they are seen as easy prey. Most of them are | | | | about security in the surrounding area as |
| away from home for the first time and are | | | | soon as they arrive. Learn as much as you |
| usually very trusting. They want to make a | | | | can about the people with whom you associate. |
| good impression so they strive to please | | | | If any of them seem like bad news report |
| everyone even undesirables. | | | | them and seek new company. |
| | | | |
| You do not have to be an expert to give a | | | | Trust your gut feeling and be careful whom |
| student advice on the little things that will | | | | you take into your confidence, because people |
| make them safe and possibly save a life. | | | | with whom you associate may commit crimes. |
| Dormitories and apartment complexes and | | | | College is new adventure and you should not |
| housing areas surrounding college campuses | | | | spoiled it by being unaware of your |
| are especially vulnerable to criminal | | | | surrounding and giving criminals half a |
| activity. | | | | chance. |
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