My first Halloween on campus, I decided to walk home by myself, at 1 AM. Stupid, I know! One block away from the house party I’d so gleefully deserted, I found myself glaring over my shoulder searching for ghosts or zombies or ghouls (human or not) who were sure to be hot on my scent.
I held my cell phone ready in my hand, and half walked, half ran all the way back to the security of my dorm room. Luckily for me, I survived without a scratch, but it was seriously one of the dumbest things I’ve ever done. I didn’t need the phone lecture my mom gave me the next morning to know that I was being an idiot. But sometimes a reminder does help, especially when alcohol is involved.
So, as you prepare for this year’s thrills, scares, and pranks try to keep these tips in mind. They may be common sense, but taking a little extra caution with you, as you head out to celebrate, is always a good thing.
1) Stick Together: After 9PM don’t go anywhere by yourself. Before you head out make sure you have the number for your campus’s security or escort service programmed into your phone. Even if your friends aren’t ready to leave, these programs exist to make sure you get home safely.
2) Know Your Guests: If you’re the one throwing the party make sure you know whose coming. Talk to your roommates and see who they’re inviting as well. Knowing you can trust the people around you makes it much easier and safer to have fun.
3) Dress Appropriately: Sure, Halloween is supposed to be about scaring people, but if you’re female your costume is probably designed to show off as much of your body as possible. I always bring a jacket or sweater to cover up, especially if I have to walk home later. There’s no point in inviting trouble.
4) Don’t Carry Fake Weapons: Need I say more?
5) Double Check the Rules: Parking regulations and dorm rules have a tendency to change around big holidays, even if they’re not official. So make sure you’re aware of any new rules. Nobody likes to wake up to a parking ticket or, even worse, find their car’s been towed.
6) Know your Limits: Do you like babysitting your friends when they’re the drunkest one at the party? No, well keep an eye on how much you drink. Remember it’s not a competition, and the hangover probably isn’t it
7) Come Prepared: Keep your cell and some cash on you at all times. Don’t stick it in your friend’s purse, even if it is annoying to hang on to. You never know when you might get separated, and you need to be prepared.
8) Get Familiar with your Surroundings: Halloween night there are a lot of parties. If you’re anything like me you’ll probably hop from party to party, but make sure you know where you are at all times. Just in case.
