| Safety |
|
Muggings and assaults have doubled over recent years. Even if you are an eight foot tall body builder, you could still be a target for assaults and muggings. Watch your back. There are a lot of things you can do that will make yourself safer. • When travelling on foot, use busy routes and well-lit walkways – avoid isolated and darkened areas. • Inform another trusted party of your intended destination, mode of transport and expected arrival time. • Walk facing traffic so that vehicles cannot approach you from behind without you being aware of their presence. • Do not display obvious valuables on your person - jewellery, handbags, etc. unless completely necessary. • Carry only the amount of cash that you require - credit cards, bank pass books should be kept securely out of sight and not in hip pockets. • If you think you are being followed, go to the nearest place where there are people, even a private house and ring the Gardaí. • If you are assaulted, help is available to you 24 hours a day. In any case involving a sexual attack, you may feel dirty, but you should NOT wash, change your clothes or clean up the immediate vicinity until after you have talked to the Gardaí, you may unwittingly destroy essential evidence. • Many crimes of rape and sexual attack are not reported and most rapists will continue their assaults until caught. • Avoid situations which will necessitate you travelling alone at night-time. There is safety in numbers. If however, you must travel on your own, plan your journey to limit your exposure to risk of assault, robbery or theft, by scheduling your journey to coincide with bus and train times etc. Use a taxi if no other transport is available. • If you are assaulted, help is available 24 hours a day. Go to the hospital and get a check up. Get in contact with the Gardaí and report the incident. If you want, make an appointment with the Chaplain or a counsellor to talk about what happened. If you decide you want to talk to someone at a later stage, don’t hesitate to contact the services. • If you are unable to attend college as a result of injuries sustained, you should contact your lecturers. The Students’ Union Vice-President /Education Officer can help you do this if you like. • If for any reason you need to contact security, they are there to help. You can call extension 4982 or from outside the college on 061-204982. If necessary, they can put you onto the Gardaí. They can also help you if you have been assaulted.
• Do not leave valuables in your vehicle. If this is necessary, secure them out of sight in the boot. • Do not leave personal documents - driving licences, insurance certificates etc in your vehicle. • Consider having the registration number etched onto the windows of your vehicle and on valuable car components. • When parking your vehicle, take care to avoid isolated or darkened areas. Use a well-lit street or thoroughfare at night time. • Consider fitting a good quality car alarm and/or immobiliser. A hardened steel chain and close shackle padlock fitted to the steering wheel is a visible and effective deterrent.
• When you purchase a bicycle, you should insist on obtaining a receipt showing the name and address of the seller/trader, together with the make, model, colour and frame number of your bike. Retain this receipt for future reference. • Secure your bicycle while unattended by using a good quality-lock. • Leave your bicycle in an area, which is supervised, or in an area where it can be in view of passers-by. • Take a photograph of your bicycle and engrave on the frame your own personal identifying number. • Most day-time burglaries take place in unoccupied homes. Use the following tips to help prevent a burglary: • Ensure your apartment and house doors are locked at all times. When vacating your apartment, check to ensure that all windows are locked. • Never give your apartment keys to anyone else and do not leave your keys where others could have access to them. • Before you admit any callers to your apartment, ensure you are satisfied with their identity – ask for identification if in doubt. • Inform a trusted neighbour if you are going away. • Don’t have obvious signs of a vacant apartment - curtains drawn during daylight hours etc. • Keep bank cards, credit cards, passports and other items of value in a safe place. Keep photographic records where necessary. • Do not leave loose cash at home.
• Get smoke alarms and test them regularly. €15 is a small price to pay to protect yourself. • Put it somewhere it can be heard all over the house. • Keep a fire extinguisher or a fire blanket in the kitchen. • Make sure all electrical appliances, sockets and leads are in good working order. • Do not overload sockets • Try not to use a chip pan, they’re too dangerous. • Check that the cooker/hob is off and put out an open fire before you go to bed. • With an open fire, always use a fireguard and ensure the room is well ventilated. • Plug out all appliances (especially the TV and hair straighteners) before you go out or go to bed. • Smokers - use proper ashtrays and do not smoke in bed. • Keep heaters away from furniture and curtains and don’t move them when they’re turned on. • Make sure there’s good ventilation in the rooms where you use them. • Roll, don’t fold, an electric blanket if you’re storing it. • Have an escape plan. Know the best way for you and your housemates to get out if you have to. Back To Top
|