Released on = July 26, 2006, 10:01 pm

Press Release Author = Safety and Security Source Press Release

Industry = Education

Press Release Summary = Every single parent of a college student worries about his
or her child's safety. Actionable tips for parents and students to stay safe from a
safety and security specialist and mother of a former college student.


Press Release Body = 1. Young people ages 16-24 are three times more likely to be
victims of burglary than any other group. Most college students typically own more
expensive consumer goods and electronics than most of the population at large. This
is a well-known fact and criminals definitely know this as well. Keep valuables
under lock and key and in sight. Don't make it known.
2. Parents and students are often concerned about violent attacks. Parents teach
their kids to be afraid of strangers, however, most crimes are committed by those
that we know, whether very well or in passing. This is particularly true of sexual
assault.
3. Most campus crime is more about opportunistic thefts than it is about violent
crimes. If the dorm or apartment door is unlocked, you are a perfect target. If you
leave valuables laying around your dorm room, on your desk in class, at the library,
you are more vulnerable. Those who have been in your room or apartment can often be
tied to a lot of theft. Lock up everything of value and trust no one.
3. Alcohol plays a big part of crimes committed against college students. Don't
drink if you are underage and drink responsibility if you are of age. Most sexual
assaults for people between the ages of 17 and 24 involve the use of alcohol-usually
excessively by at least one or both of the parties-as well as drug use. Your
inhibitions are down and you are likely to be victimized.
4. Keep personal information off of social websites. Beware of the pictures that you
put on your account. Do not put your phone number and your address in your profile.
Do not allude to your schedule and your hangout places. It is ammunition for
stalkers.
5. Students should never walk around alone, especially at night. Students should
always travel around campus with a friend or request a security escort. If students
chose to carry a personal safety device; pepper spray or personal alarm, they should
make sure it is accessible. Carrying your protection in a book bag or purse will not
help when confronted by a would-be perpetrator.
Visuals/Photo Opps:
These items photograph well. Learn how to hide valuables in the dorm room (book and
can safes have hiding places for jewelry, checkbooks, cash, etc.). I would like to
show the different safety products on the market targeted to college students; key
ring pepper spray, key ring personal alarms, door stop alarms (for dorm and
apartment safety) easy to use fire extinguisher (if you can spray hairspray, you can
put out a fire), invisible ink pen and UV lights (marking valuables can help you
recover or prove beyond a shadow of a doubt the items owner, with the UV light, the
writing will show up), roadside and auto safety kits.


Contact: Tracey Hawkins, President/Owner of Safety and Security Source
1-866-365-4542 Toll-Free 816-941-4542 (in Kansas City area)
www.safetyandsecuritysource.com


Web Site = http://www.safetyandsecuritysource.com

Contact Details = Security Source
Tracey Hawkins, President/Owner
Kansas City MO
1-866-365-4542 Toll-Free
1-816-941-4543 Fax
safetyandsecurity@kc.rr.com