SAFETY TIPS FOR NEW COLLEGE STUDENTS

New students to any university or postsecondary education institution in Puerto Rico and anywhere in the world love the feeling of freedom, euphoria and starting a new and very significant stage in their life, that of a college student with all the challenges, worries, sacrifices, achievements, joys, and satisfactions that said new life involves. However, with the responsibility of becoming adults and looking after themselves comes an increased awareness about personal safety. New students may be at risk for becoming victims of crime and personal injury, especially since some scammers and criminals might target college students.

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Here are some tips you can follow while pursuing your college education to improve your safety, especially during your freshman year:

Be alert to your surroundings. Be careful and don't walk absent-mindedly. Paying attention to your cell phone instead of your surroundings can cause you to accidentally walk into traffic. Not being aware of your surroundings while in groups or in public can put you at risk for being the victim of theft or other crimes.

Practice safety in dormitories. Make sure your off-campus room or apartment has a smoke detector as well as a sturdy lock. Consider a security lock and use it regularly. If you notice any problems with lighting, stairs, windows, or doors, be sure to report them to the dormitory administrators or authorities. Follow up to ensure it gets fixed. The persons in charge or the university may be held liable in a premise liability lawsuit if they fail to take the necessary precautions to keep the property safe, and residents are injured as a result.

Get acquainted with the university's security resources. Your university may have a program for you to get back home safely after dark, an emergency number, and blue-light emergency stations where you can call for help. Find out about this and other security measures and find out the location of the campus security post so you know where to go if you ever need help.
Do not walk alone. Walk the busiest paths and routes on campus and avoid deserted areas and do the same off-campus. If you're at a party or event, don't stay after the people you know leave. If you are of legal drinking age and choose to do so, avoid overconsumption so as not to lose control of your senses, emotions, and reasoning ability. Firmly avoid anyone who offers you controlled substances, such as any narcotic drug, that endanger individual and/or public morals, health, safety, or welfare. Anyone who wants to give or sell you drugs and controlled substances is not and never will be your friend or care about your overall health and well-being. Seek help from university and public authorities in charge of enforcing security, laws, regulations, and maintaining order.
Trust your instincts. If you don't feel safe, trust that instinct and get out of that situation immediately. Don't feel sorry or embarrassed to seek help whenever you need it.
Take after-school classes. Many colleges offer self-defense and first-aid classes, sometimes for free or at very low cost. These types of classes are useful even after your college years and are a smart investment of your time.
Be alert to what is happening on campus. Sign up for security alerts so you're on the lookout for strangers that have breached (invaded) the campus and other issues. This way, you can take extra precautions.

Move around safely. Whether you have a bicycle, drive a car, or walk, keep safety in mind. Never attempt to ride your bike, walk home, or drive after drinking and avoid distractors when heading to your destination, such as using your mobile phone or any other electronic device. If you need to return home at night, consider using your university’s program to get back home safely.

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MORE TIPS

Participate in activities that promote your overall health. Eating properly, getting enough sleep (at least 8 to 9 hours per night) and staying active will help you have energy and reduce stress.

Take advantage of nutritious food options offered by the University's cafeteria or restaurant. Be aware of how many calories you eat to stay healthy (about 1,800 for an 18-year-old woman and about 2,200 for an 18-year-old young man, although active teenagers or athletes may need more). Make sure you consume protein, vegetables, and other nutritious foods so you have energy for your many tasks. Stay alert to products with fat, sugar, and sodium. Finally, remember that eating food late at night adds calories to your diet.
If you have a chronic illness, make sure your roommates or someone close to you is aware of your health problem, signs of concern, what to do in an emergency. If your problem is complex or very difficult to manage, talk to the health center staff before the school year begins.
Studies reveal that most students on campus do not use drugs, do not use alcohol or, if they do, they do so in moderation. Surveys of college students show that most have zero or one sexual partner during the year. So, you don't need to do any of these things to feel part of the group. Heavy drinking can result in serious health risks (accidents, fights, date rape or sexual assault).
Learn about the resources available to help you. There are often student support groups and services on campus to help ease the transition to college. It's normal for someone starting college to feel sad some days, as well as to miss home or feel somewhat lost. If these feelings last a little longer than a week or if they interfere with your ability to do your work or enjoy your college experience, seek help. The health center or the counseling center are good places to start with.

The information contained on this website should not be used as a substitute for the medical advice and care of your pediatrician. There can be many variations in treatment that your pediatrician might recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

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Visit your pediatrician to make sure you have all the recommended vaccines and other preventive health measures necessary for your age. Ask about vaccines against meningococcal disease, HPV, whooping cough (pertussis), and the flu. Even if you've had these vaccines before, you'll likely need another dose or booster.
Talk to your pediatrician about coordinating your care with your university. Many young people continue to go to their pediatrician until they turn 21. When it's time to transition to adult care, your pediatrician can help.
If you have any medical conditions or health problems, learn all about them. When you go to see a new doctor or clinic, such as the campus health center, you will need to be informed about your diagnosis and how to treat it.

If you are taking medicines to treat a health problem or mental condition, learn the name of the medicine, how it is taken, any side effects, and whether you cannot consume certain foods or drinks when you are taking this medicine.
Before moving into your bedroom, find out where you can go if you have any health problems. What hospitals or clinics are nearby? Where is the student health center located? Where can you go if it is closed, such as at night or on weekends? Talk to your parents about how your family's health insurance works, and make sure you have a medical insurance card with you.
Consider bringing an emergency kit in your luggage to keep it under your bed in the bedroom. A flashlight and batteries, non-perishable food and water (for emergency use only), first-aid supplies, and extra medication can be of great help in the event of storms, hurricanes, and other situations where you have to stay on campus or locked in your room for some time.

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Article 194. – Burglary.

Any person who enters a dwelling, building or other construction or structure or its dependencies or annexes with the purpose of committing any crime involving an unlawful taking or a felony shall incur a felony and shall be punished with imprisonment for a fixed four (4)-year term.

Article 195. – Aggravated Burglary.

If the crime of burglary described in Article 194 is committed in any of the following circumstances, the offender shall be punished with imprisonment for a fixed term of eighteen (18) years:

In an inhabited building or in any place where the victim has a reasonable expectation of privacy.
On a property destined by the government to provide public housing; or
When the entry is forced. The court may also impose the penalty of restitution.

It is an aggravated burglary offense when the perpetrator: (1) Enters a dwelling, structure, or building for the purpose of committing unlawful appropriation or a felony and (2) when the building is inhabited.

Therefore, the elements of the crime of aggravated burglary are: (1) entering a dwelling, building or other construction or structure, or its dependencies; (2) for the purpose of committing the crime of unlawful appropriation or any felony. The crimes must be simultaneous.

What to do if you are the victim of burglary?

If you arrive at your property and see that a door or window has been forced, do not go in under any circumstances and call the police or the 911 emergency system immediately to avoid any incidents.

If you realize it after you go in, do not touch anything, remember that it is very important that you allow the Puerto Rico Police to inspect the damages that occurred since they will be a key piece in the investigation and the technical services agents will also be in charge of collecting evidence and taking photos and fingerprints.

Do not allow anyone to move or alter the scene as it would significantly damage it.

In those moments you are the one who has control of the evidence until the Puerto Rico Police arrive.

HELP US!

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Lock your doors and windows.
Do not leave in plain sight tools, equipment, or any property of value that may attract criminals.

Install security systems, including bars, windows and security doors, lighting systems with motion sensors, alarms, among others.
Do not dispose of boxes of products or electrical appliances in front of the residence because this lets criminals know that there are valuable things inside.
If you are traveling, leave a family member or someone in charge of the property and if you receive a newspaper or advertisement mail have it removed from any visible area in your residence.

DEPARTAMENTO DE

SECURITY