It’s that time of year, summer has been and gone, and winter is fast approaching. Students are thinking about Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas, and the dark nights are starting to draw in.
Undeniably it’s important to stay safe and be cautious at all times of the year, but it’s particularly true this time of year as the mornings stay darker for longer and the afternoons and evenings become darker much sooner. So, below are a few top tips on staying safe.
1. Stick together
Whether you’re leaving university late, going to a friend’s house or are heading home after a night out, avoid walking by yourself. Try to walk with others that you know; safety in numbers is key when it comes to walking in the dark.
2. Know your route
If you have to walk in the dark, especially if you’re on your own, be sure to know where you’re going. Stick to well used main roads and pedestrian areas, and ones that are well lit. And even if you know a short cut, don’t stray from the beaten path and avoid cutting through remote alleyways, parks, wasteland and canal towpaths.
3. Plan ahead
If you’re out for the night and know you need to get home at the end of the night, then be sure to plan ahead. Arrange with a friend or family member to pick you up or book a taxi. If you’re planning on getting a taxi, make sure you keep money aside to pay the fare and be sure to use a licensed taxi firm; never get in an unmarked taxi.
4. Stay in touch
Make sure someone knows where you’re going and what time they can expect you back. If you have to walk, or if you’re getting in a taxi, let someone know when you’re setting off, and then get back in touch with them when you’ve arrived at your destination. That way, they should know if something is wrong if you fail to contact them as expected. And remember, when going out for the night to have a fully charged phone.
5. Be alert
If you do have to walk alone in the dark, avoid things such as listening to music or talking on the phone for too long. It’s important to be fully alert and aware of your surroundings, without any distractions. It’s also a good idea to keep any valuables such as phones, headphones, money, keys etc hidden, as they will draw attention to you.
If you’re new to a city or town and aren’t sure of the safest routes back to your accommodation, or you need the number of a local taxi firm, speak to your Host team and they’ll be happy to help.
If you would like to find out more about our student accommodation, take a look at our locations or contact us for more information.
To become more ‘environmentally friendly’, Host is launching the #HostEnvironmentalPledge campaign to encourage responsible behaviour and drive sustainability across our sites throughout the UK and Ireland.
It’s a simple campaign! If we can reduce our overall utilities (electric, water and gas) consumption by 1% then we will donate £10,000, 2% reduction means £20,000, 3% is £30,000 and so on, to 3 charities; Student Minds, LandAid and Just a Drop.
Show me all newsStudent Volunteering Week returns for 2019 and runs from 11th - 17th February. SVW is the perfect time to find out more about the volunteering opportunities available in your community, local events taking place and how to get involved.
At Host, our staff work tirelessly to ensure a safe, friendly and comfortable environment for our students to live in and to provide an excellent experience for them whilst at university or college.
New Year, new us? Well, not really, but the arrival of a New Year often provides opportunities to look back and reflect on the past year and make any changes you feel necessary for a prosperous year.
