Essential Safety Tips for College Parents

Since 2005, the number of reported crimes on college campuses has dropped by more than 50%. While this is reassuring, parents still naturally worry about their child’s safety as they embark on their college journey. As students enter higher education and gain independence, their awareness of personal safety becomes increasingly important.

Regardless of whether your child is an undergraduate, graduate, commuter, or residential student, their safety is a top priority. Any college should be committed to fostering a secure environment for all its students. Here are crucial safety tips to help you engage in ongoing, constructive conversations with your child about staying safe at college:

Stay Informed: Encourage your child to take charge of their daily activities, from setting up appointments to getting around campus. They should be familiar with campus resources, emergency procedures, and support services. Ensure they know who to contact in an emergency and keep key numbers handy.

• Conversation starter: “Have you downloaded the LiveSafe App yet?” The LiveSafe app provides real-time reporting, virtual escorts, and an interactive campus map to help your child stay informed and actively involved in their safety.

Trust Your Instincts: Teach your child to trust their instincts. If they ever feel unsafe in a situation or location, they should leave immediately. Intuition is a vital tool for avoiding danger.

• Conversation starter: “When might it be okay to lie to someone?” If they feel threatened, pressured, or stressed, it’s acceptable to lie to protect themselves and exit the situation quickly.

Stay Connected: Regular communication with friends, family, and roommates is crucial, both on and off-campus. Your child should always inform someone of their whereabouts, especially if going out alone or returning home late.

• Conversation tip: Encourage your child to be a good friend. Open communication helps keep everyone safe. If a friend seems distant, it might be a good time to check in. Emotional safety is as important as physical safety, and college can be a stressful time. UB offers free counseling services to all enrolled students—support is just a call or email away.

Travel in Groups: Advise your child to walk around campus or the city in groups, especially during odd hours. There’s safety in numbers, and sticking together is safer than being alone.

• Conversation tip: Remind your child to be cautious about their social media activity. GPS check-ins and posts can unintentionally reveal their location to strangers. Encourage them to disable location-sharing features to safeguard their privacy.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Urge your child to stay alert and aware of their surroundings, whether they are walking, studying, or socializing. They should avoid distractions like texting or wearing headphones in poorly lit or isolated areas.

• Conversation tip: Advise your child to plan and be prepared. They should know who they’re with and have a backup plan in case they get separated or their phone battery dies. Remind them not to leave anyone behind in unfamiliar situations.

Plan Your Route: If your child is a commuter, encourage them to plan their route to and from campus ahead of time. Suggest choosing well-lit, populated paths and using campus transportation or walking with others during late hours.

• Conversation starter: “Did you know the college is centrally located between some of the most incredible cities in the world?” Planning trips to cities like Clearwater or Miami is exciting, but they should share their plans, ensure they have enough money, and be prepared for unexpected delays.

Practice Safe Socializing: Discuss responsible behavior at parties and social events. Your child should know their limits, make a plan, communicate regularly, and always have a designated driver or alternative transportation.

• Conversation starter: “What strategies might you use to stay safe in social settings?”

Utilize Campus Resources: Encourage your child to take advantage of campus safety resources, such as emergency blue light phones, escort services, and self-defense workshops. These tools are designed to empower them and enhance their safety on campus.

• Conversation starter: “How have you familiarized yourself with the campus safety resources available to you?”

Stay Updated on Weather Alerts: New England weather can be unpredictable. Remind your child to stay informed about weather conditions and campus alerts and to be prepared with appropriate clothing and supplies.

• Conversation starter: “How does your school issue weather alerts?”

Get to Know Campus Safety Personnel: If your child ever feels threatened or encounters a safety issue, they should report it to campus authorities immediately. Campus Security is there to handle emergencies and provide assistance whenever needed.

• Conversation starter: “What are your thoughts on campus security? Do you feel comfortable contacting them if you have any safety concerns?”

Creating a safe and inclusive environment is essential for all students to thrive academically, socially, and personally. By reinforcing these safety tips and encouraging vigilance, your child can enjoy a rewarding college experience while prioritizing their well-being. Safety is a collective effort, and together, we can build a campus community where everyone feels protected and supported.

Jim Magazine

James (Jim) Magazine is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial lawyer who has spent his career helping injured victims. Jim is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 1990 and is also admitted to practice at the Appellate level and admitted to the United States Supreme Court.

Years of Experience: More than 30 years
Florida Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions:
Clearwater Bar Association
West Pasco Bar Association