5 Ways To Stay Safe at the Bars in a College Town
College bars are great places to go out and have fun, but they also be dangerous, especially as a woman.
The scary fact is that nearly one in every thirteen college have reported being drugged. This number is far too high so it is important to do everything you can to try and keep yourself out of harms way.
Here are some important tips to keep in mind when going out for a night of drinking to ensure that you have a great, safe night!
- Travel in a pack
It may sound silly, but there truly is safety in numbers. The fact is, if you are in a group (or even just with one other person) your odds of being attacked decrease significantly.
Of course, make sure the group you surround yourself with are people that make you feel safe. And lets be honest, it’s always more fun to go out with friends anyway!
2. Share your location with someone you trust
Technology is continuing to advance and it is important to use it to your benefit. All smart phones and devices have a tracking device that could help save your life if someone trusted knows where you are.
There are countless stories of people being saved by the tracker in their phone if the right person has access to it.
It’s just one of those safety features that you hopefully will not need, but doesn’t hurt to take advantage of.
3. Guard your drink
It takes a matter of seconds for someone to spike your drink, so you always need to stay alert. In order to be extra safe, make sure you only accept drinks from people you trust, and watch the bartender make every drink.
Protecting your drink can be as easy as keeping it in your hand and covering it if you feel uncomfortable.
4. Be careful with ride-share apps
As a woman, you should always ask the driver who the car is for before hopping in. The apps also provide information such as license plate information, so make sure all of the information matches up.
Unfortunately, more and more people are posing as ride-share drivers to take advantage of women. These simple safety tips can help you make sure you are getting into a real ride-share car and not a random person’s car.
5. Do not walk alone in the dark
The dark is a great place for people to hide and approach you wen you aren’t expecting it. You should at all costs avoid walking alone in the dark, especially after a night of drinking.
If you need to walk to your car or a ride-share vehicle, have a bartender, security guard, police officer, or trusted friend walk with you.
Of course, these tips are not fool proof, however every little thing you can do to better protect yourself is a step closer to safety.
If you suspect you or someone you know has been drugged seek medical attention and don’t be afraid to ask someone you trust for help.
Stay safe and have fun!
