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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Sacramento chapter.

Going out at night does not seem ideal for most of us because it is considered to be dangerous. Anything can really happen because society has gotten so out of order and there just seems to be many corrupt people out in the world no matter where you are. Sacramento is also considered to be one of the cities with high sex trafficking, so it’s important to know how to protect ourselves.

With that in mind, here are 3 tips you should keep in mind if you are going out on Halloween night:

1. Carry a weapon or device that can protect you

It’s better to be safe than sorry. Many women often carry around pepper spray and some even go as far as having a taser for their protection. Recently, a Sacramento State student was sexually harassed on campus by three men and what had helped her was pepper spray. After getting attacked by the spray, the men were said to have biked away. It is important that you have a device that can deter dangerous people from approaching you.

2. Stay with friends

It’s better to stay with a group of people you know rather than being alone when you are out in public, especially at night. It just feels much safer that way because you will know that someone has your back if something dangerous does happen. If you do happen to be alone at any time of the night, calling or face-timing a friend or family member should also help. Having someone there to talk to if they aren’t physically there can lower the chances of something dangerous happening.

3. Be aware of your surroundings

A lot of people will be outside because that’s just tradition, but it is very important to pay attention to what is happening around you. Whether you are outside trick-or-treating or at a party, you never know what a stranger’s intentions are. Most of us are so used to always looking at our phones that we don’t know what is even happening in front of us, so always keep your eyes open for any suspicious activity.

4. Utilize your smartphone

 

Technology has become super advanced these days and it has definitely helped for safety reasons. Sharing your location with a trusted friend and family member would be wise especially if you are going out at night. They would be able to know exactly where you are and find you if anything dangerous potentially happens. Another good way to use your phone is downloading apps such as Noon Light and Life360. Noon Light will make sure you are safe at all time and there is a potential danger, the authorities will be notified right away and know your exact location. Life360 will connect you to your family so that they know your location at any time. There are several other self-defense apps that you may be interested in checking out as well.

With Halloween coming up very soon, it’s important to know what you can do to avoid any problems that can arise throughout the night. May these tips be of use to you whether you decide to go out or not. As always, stay safe Hornets!

Samirah Yang

Sacramento '22

Samirah is currently a second year at Sacramento State and majors in Psychology. Some of her interests include writing, photography, videography, and eating.