Whether you live in Ohio State University housing or commute to campus from your Columbus Ohio rental housing, keep your safety in mind while on campus and in the community. Freshmen especially may not know they are vulnerable to crime at OSU and in Columbus.
There are things you can do to stay safe. We’re not talking about carrying an arsenal or becoming adept at ninja moves, but do follow these tips while attending college in Columbus to maximize your safety.
- With your headphones on, you’re in another world and far from being focused your safety. Whenever walking about campus, keep your ears and eyes alert to what’s happening around you.
- Don’t walk alone in the dark or at night. Whenever possible, practice the buddy system and walk with a friend or call the OSU Police Department if on campus or the Columbus Police if off campus (and inside the city).
- Keep cash and a credit card on hand at all times to pay for a ride or get out of an uncomfortable situation. But don’t carry big wads of cash.
- Campuses these days, including Ohio State University, have emergency phones or call buttons. Learn where they are.
- Learn ASAP how to navigate around campus. Learn how to get around uptown Columbus, too. The campus and uptown are closely linked and overlap in some places.
- Avoid inebriation in social settings. Drunk students can become the victims of self-harm or foul play, not only from strangers but people they know.
- Program emergency numbers into your phone, including someone trusted whom you can call for help.
- Carry pepper spray, a loud whistle or take self-defense classes so you have some options if attacked.
- If you go out or otherwise hang out with someone whom you don’t know very well, tell your friends what you’re doing, and promise to check in later in the evening.
- Take care not to get swept into incidents of vandalism or other misbehavior as a result of hanging out with the wrong people.