• Your phone is a great tool to help keep you safe, but make sure you rely on other resources as well – consistent communication with close friends is important.
• If you are staying in a hotel, text yourself and/or a trusted person the hotel address and your room number upon check-in to keep the info handy in case you forget it.
• If you think you are being followed, drive to an open police or fire station or a well-lit, public place.
• If you choose to drink alcohol:
  • Drink or sip slowly and alternate with water.
  • Avoid shots or chugging.
  • Use a sober, designated driver.
  • Prepare or open your own drink and don't leave it unattended at any time.
  • Keep count: 0 (under 21 or driving), 1 (standard drink per hour), 3 (the limit for low-risk drinking)
• Seek help if you or someone you know has signs of alcohol poisoning: unresponsive, pale/blue/cold/clammy skin, shallow or irregular breathing.
• Criminals target persons who look distracted, intoxicated or uncertain... so:
  • Be aware of your surroundings; don’t be distracted.
  • Walk with a purpose – head up, strong strides and look confident!
  • Have your keys in your hand to reduce time standing in front of your car, room or building.
  • Look around at all times to be aware of who may be in front of you or behind you.
  • If you feel something isn’t right, cross the street and go to a public area.

• Be respectful of yourself and others. Make sure any sexual act is OK with your partner if you initiate. Consent is always mutually required.
• Remember: people who are drunk or otherwise impaired are not capable of consenting to sex.

• Always tell at least one trusted friend or loved one where you're going and when you expect to come back.
• Use the buddy system - take a close friend when you go out at night or to a party or club, and don't leave without that person, and don’t let them leave without you.
• Don't go anywhere with someone you've just met.
• If you are attacked on the street, make as much noise as possible by calling for help or blowing a whistle. Yell – “FIRE”, “POLICE” anything to get people to pay attention to you. Never pursue your attacker. Call 911 and report the crime as soon as possible.

Active bystanders make a difference. Intervening is not always easy, but it can stop a bad situation and even save a life. If you're in a situation where you see something happening that doesn’t seem right, you can:

• Distract the people involved, or take one person aside and distract him/her.
• Track down a friend of one of the people and have that person check on his/ her friend.
• Knock - or open the door. Ask if everything's cool. Interrupting an OK scene is better than ignoring an act of violence.