Crime prevention tip of the week

Welcome to the week before Halloween weekend. This coming week and weekend there will be numerous parties and good times to be had by everyone, but while you are partying, let’s party safely.

As you design and put on your costume please consider the following things:

• You need to be able to see. If you are wearing a mask make sure there is ample eye socket room so you can see. If there is a false head involved check that you can see through the screening and that you have a friend helping you with what’s going on around you. You won’t be able to see around you. Think of a sports team mascot. They often have a helper guiding them from place to place, and so should you.

• Tails that touch the ground constitute a trip hazard. Forward or backward really doesn’t matter. Falling hurts.

• Please remember that others may perceive replica weapons differently. Please don’t point them at people. If they get called the police will err on the side of public safety. You really don’t want to be on the wrong side of an armed takedown. If that does happen, don’t argue; just do what the officer says. Their guns are not replicas.

• Dress for where you are going to be inside versus outside.

It is best to go to parties with at least one other friend and then look after each other.

During the recent Health and Wellness Fair, I spoke to several people who all agreed if you don’t know where a drink came from or don’t trust it, don’t drink it. The days of accepting a drink from that really cute person at the end of the bar are done. If you leave your drink unattended or don’t see it prepared, don’t drink it. Gender doesn’t matter, bad things can happen to anyone.

If you are drinking alcohol when you are out, be smart. Enjoy yourself but don’t incapacitate yourself. Look after your friends. Anyone who passes out from drinking has alcohol poisoning and should go to the hospital. This is usually the person who gets to the party and downs several shots and chases them with some other alcoholic drinks in rapid succession and then drops. Don’t just dump them in the tub or roll them onto a bed. They need help to ensure they don’t die. Your blood alcohol content continues to rise after you stop drinking.

All in all, have a great weekend just be safe.

If you have questions about this or any other crime prevention concerns please feel free to contact Steve Hartwick with Campus Security Services either by phone at 519-452-4430 ext. 4929 or e-mail at shartwick@fanshawec.ca.