College students are more prone to injuries when moving to their dormitory upon school resumption. Likewise, those on the school’s athletic team.

Aside from injuries, college students are expected to be security conscious. It is recommended that parents enlighten their children on safety and security measures, especially if it is their first year.

However, schools should be safe. According to The Barnes Firm, a team of Brooklyn injury lawyers, “negligence on the part of the school causing students injury may result in a lawsuit”.

Injury prevention tips for college students

When moving things

• When moving an object, bend your knees and hips, not your back.
• Ask for help if you need to move something heavy.
• Familiarize yourself with the fire safety policies in your dormitory.
• If you need to get something beyond your height, use a stepstool. Stretching will stress your neck and shoulder.
• Maintain your back in a neutral position throughout the lifting. Move your body, including your feet, towards heavy objects. Do not try to twist.

When driving

• Avoid drinking and driving.
• Read through your insurance policy and always have the card in the car whenever you are driving.
• Do not lend your car to friends. Also, avoid being coerced by friends to journey to places you do not intend to go.
• Take the car for repair and regular maintenance.
• Avoid speeding and distracted driving.

When cooking

• Avoid cooking when tired or exhausted.
• Before cooking, confirm if your room has a smoke alarm and a fire extinguisher.
• Maintain distance from the fire if you are wearing loose clothing.
• Do not use metal in microwaves.
• When you experience a fire in a pot or pan, switch off the heat source and cover it with a pot top or metallic container.

When using the electricity

• Do not run electrical cords under rugs. If you discover any in your room, get a technician or inform the appropriate authority to fix it.
• Remember to unplug extension cords when not in use.
• If you notice a hot outlet, unplug all appliances and inform the concerned authorities.
• Ensure electrical appliances are at safe distances from the bed.
• Test the dormitory room smoke detector monthly and change the battery when needed.

Safety tips for classes

• Stay away from mopped and wet floors.
• Report any defective or unmaintained desk. Also, avoid using them.

When in the science laboratory

• When using the school laboratory, report any accident, injuries or damaged equipment to the instructor immediately.
• Abide by all safety and precautions stipulated for the laboratory, such as wearing goggles.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing to the lab.
• Desist from playing in the lab. Activities such as pointing a heated test tube at another student can be dangerous.
• Only experiments authorized and supervised by the instructor should be performed.

Injury prevention tips for college athletes

• Warm-up correctly. It will gradually increase your heart rate and prepare the muscles for physical activity.
• Be committed to sportsmanship. Do not intentionally use any of your body parts to cause harm to other players.
• Wear the required protective equipment. Check and confirm that the sports equipment complies with the performance and safety standards. Most regulatory agencies usually have the criteria posted on their websites.
• Eat a balanced and healthy diet that would aid your sports performance.
• Educate yourself on first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Do not participate in any exercise for punitive purposes. It has been discovered to elevate risks above any reasonable performance reward.

Security tips for college students

Whether a student is staying on campus or off-campus, these safety tips are essential:

For emergencies

• Make sure you know the emergency telephone number of your college police department.
• Know the spots where emergency telephones are located across the campus.
• Sign up on popular campus forums. It can help when you need to raise the alarm about your safety.

Walking around

• Observe the school or your area layout. You can do this during your free time. Also, take note if the buildings are well-lighted at night.
• Only walk the paths well-lighted to your destination whenever it is dark.
• Avoid going out alone at night.
• Secure your keys and keep them separate from your backpack.
• If you notice you are being followed, change direction and walk towards the nearest business or safer place.

When in your room

• Do not entertain strangers. Only open the door to people you know.
• Always lock the door before going to sleep.
• Change your lock if you lose your room key.
• Always keep your identification documents in safe places. Do not have them lying around the room.
• Leaving clues about your whereabouts at your doorstep might be dangerous.