The start of the fall semester is an exciting time of year for incoming freshmen and returning students alike, but it can be easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of campus life and not be as vigilant about personal safety as you should be. Here are some guidelines:

• Missouri S&T has several emergency phones. Know where they are.
• Have a safety buddy, someone you can call for a ride or for help, and create a code word or phrase that means “come help me out of this” or “I’m in trouble.”
• Before going to a party, tell a friend where you’re going and when you’ll be back. Let them know if your plans change.
• Take turns being a designated driver or sober companion. You could save someone’s life.
• If a party gets out of hand, leave!
• Do not drink in excess. When you do so, your ability to make decisions becomes impaired, making you an easy target.
• Never, ever leave your drink alone or with someone you don’t know. Date rape drugs are undetectable. Men are just as vulnerable as women.
• A stranger is still a stranger, even if they are a fellow student. Don’t take food, drinks or anything else from strangers.
• Don’t ride with drunk or drugged drivers.
• Don’t offer rides to people you don’t know.
• When approaching your car or residence, have your keys in your hand and check the area for suspicious individuals or activity.
• Never leave outside doors propped open, and don’t let strangers into secured buildings or residence halls.
• When walking by yourself, keep expensive belongings such as laptops hidden. You will be less of a target.
• The beaten path is the better path. Do not take short cuts. Familiarize yourself with the area before heading out.
• Trust your instincts!