How To Stay Safe During Halloweekend and Other College Parties

Halloweekend (Halloween weekend) is arguably the most intense partying event on many college campuses throughout America. It is especially a big deal at my school, Kent State University. As you don your costume that will definitely not protect you from the elements, it is important to remember certain safety precautions to take. 

Protect Your Drinks 

One of the unfortunate realities of partying in college is the possibility of your drink getting spiked with drugs. Common substances include Rohypnol, Ecstasy, Ketamine, LSD and other party drugs. If you possibly consumed a spiked beverage, you will begin to feel groggy, disoriented and confused. You may experience nausea, headaches and gaps in your memory the next day. 

If you feel that you have been drugged, find someone you trust to take you to the emergency room and contact 9-1-1 immediately. Visit Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network for more information regarding date-rape drugs and sexual assault. 

The safest option is to always bring your own drinks to parties with covered lids. In situations where you have an open beverage consider purchasing a Nightcap. It is a scrunchie that can be turned into a reusable lid. A lot of bars are starting to offer Stoptopps which are disposable drink lids and can also be found on the Nightcap website. 

Keep Your Friends Close

Never go anywhere without a friend, being alone at a party or bar makes you an even bigger target. It is also important to make sure someone sober, whom you can easily contact, knows where you are. Share your location with your friends on Snapchat or an app, like Life360. 

Many colleges offer 24-hour escort services if you end up having to leave an event by yourself. If you feel unsafe or believe someone is following you, do not hesitate to call the police. It is always better to be safe than sorry. 

Self-defense Tips

Everyone has a right to defend themselves. Never forget that. Look into self-defense classes in your community, and bring a few friends with you. Your college’s health and wellness department may even offer these types of classes on campus. 

Tactical keychains and pepper spray can be purchased virtually anywhere. Pepper spray is legal in all 50 states (under some special circumstances) but look into your campus’s specific rules in regard to defense weapons. 

Once you feel more prepared and confident in your personal safety, going out can feel less like an inevitable death sentence. Always be aware of your surroundings, but no one deserves to feel unsafe when they are supposed to be enjoying themselves.

An Unfortunate Reality

Every person deserves to feel safe, but this is simply not the reality in our world today. Domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking continue to define how people, not just women, but how people must live their lives. The best thing you can do for yourself is through education and taking charge of your own protection.

If you find yourself in a certain situation, keep fighting back. Scream and kick and punch. Gouge your nails into their eyes and skin so their DNA sticks to you. Use what you have learned and defend yourself. Do it for those who could not fight back.

• halloweekend
• Kent State University
• ksu
• Lily Cassida
• safety tips