Should I be Concerned about by Child's Safety at College? - By: Michael Rao

High school to University is a major change for young adults. No longer are they part of a very stuctured enviroment, from the strict rules at High School to the rules you have in place at home, they are now "free" in a sense. How will they handle their new world? Will they be prepared?

It is imperative to begin this as soon as possible. They will be on their own and you should prepare them as much as possible. You should check with your campus authorities first as to what methods of non-lethal self defense are allowed. Is you child permitted to carry Mace, Pepper Spray or a Stun Gun? Are they allowed to carry stun guns in their purses or pockets?

Have the college clearly detail the security system and processes currently in place? Are parking lots and grounds patrolled during the day and night? Where can your child run to if there is a problem on campus? Do they know where the security office is?

If at all possible, see if you can show them around their dorm in the months before college begins. You can both get a feel for the layout of the dorm and see where the entrances and exits are. You can explore the different wings and corridors so your child will be less likely to become lost. This is especially important if you are from a more rural area and your child is attending a major university. The college they are attending may have tens of thousands of students. It can be an overwhelming place if they aren't fully expecting a location vast enough to accommodate this number.

It is also important to establish facts on peer behaviors. It is highly unlikely that parties will ever be supervised thus anything thing lost or stolen will be gone for good. Likewise other young adults in attendance may or may not be students at the school. There are accounts for both male and female students who have been robbed, attacked, or raped after overindulging in alcohol.

If you can establish these facts with your child, and discuss the consequences of irresponsible behavior, it will stay with them through college. They will have an idea of what to expect and a keen perspective on personal safety and accountability. College is not high school, but your child can be safe with a few personal precautions. Never assume you have nothing to worry about, always be prepared because "If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail".

About the Author

Mike Rao writes on Crime Prevention,and Security & Surveillance. Please visit his websites and sign up for the free safety reports.

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