Council gives advice to students
The new academic year should mean meeting new friends, learning new skills and experiencing a new city. Unfortunately it can also mean break-ins, accidents and inconvenience for local communities.
More than 13,000 students will be starting their first year studies in Bristol this September. Safer Bristol, the partnership of public agencies working together to make the city safer, has organised Student Week to make this year’s freshers’ activities and the academic year ahead memorable for all the right reasons.
Brian McCutcheon, Chair of Safer Bristol, said: “The universities and colleges in Bristol are a vital addition to the vibrancy of the city, but with so many people descending at once, it’s important to highlight safety concerns especially during times like Freshers’ Week where students may let their guard down as they enjoy the celebrations. “By working together and following the advice from our partners we can build safer communities and make sure that everyone enjoys their freshers’ activities and the academic year ahead”.
Student Week, which takes place between 29th September and October 2nd, will involve Safer Bristol and Stoke Bishop Neighbourhood Police Team visiting Bristol University’s halls of residence to hand out personal attack alarms, tag bikes and offer general safety advice.
Cheryl Coles, Safer Bristol’s Community Safety Officer, said: “The student week is all about crime prevention. Students are a vulnerable target group for crime, especially those who may be coming to Bristol for the first time. This week will be offering advice on personal safety and property to make sure that those students are best prepared.”
The Police have a dedicated Facebook group called In the Zone aimed at students which offers safety advice on how to reduce the risk of burglary. The website also offers information on how to register mobiles, laptops and other expensive items with the national Immobilise scheme.
As well as being involved in Student Week Bristol Police will also be participating in freshers’ fairs and activities throughout the city to ensure that all students are aware of how to keep their homes safe. They will also be holding advice sessions discussing personal safety.
PC Matthew Holloway, beat manager at University of the West of England, said: “Bristol is a great city to come and study in and we want to make sure that students have fun but still remain safe. We have organised stalls at many of the college and universities freshers’ activities so that we can be on hand to offer informal safety advice, and the Police Community Contact vehicle will also be in attendance”.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service will also play a vital role. Between October 2008 and August 2009 they were called to student halls approximately twice a month, with 23 fires in total. Eighteen of these were started in the kitchen, with three caused by the resident being distracted and four involving falling asleep after drinking or taking drugs.
In a bid to combat the problem Avon Fire & Rescue Service is working with student halls of residence across Bristol to highlight cooking safety. Leaflets and posters detailing no-nonsense advice have been distributed and Avon Fire & Rescue Service will also be attending a number of freshers’ events during September and October.
During the events an interactive display will be used to highlight the dangers of cooking while under the influence of alcohol. This will involve students trying to cook while wearing ‘beer goggles’ which simulate the effects of alcohol on stability and vision.
Barbara Brown, Head of Community Safety at Avon Fire & Rescue, said: “We want to ensure not only the students safety but also the safety of the surrounding communities. We hope that these displays will showcase to students how dangerous it is to cook under the influence.”
For top tips on keeping safe this year check out the advice from Safer Bristol below:
Tips on staying safe in the kitchen:
- Never fill a pan more than one third full of fat or oil.
- Never leave the pan or grill unattended when the heat is switched on .
- Never wear loose clothing near to cooking materials, as it could catch fire causing severe burns, or it could get caught on something and pull it over.
- Keep tea towels well away from cooking appliances, as they could catch fire.
- Clean hobs regularly to prevent a build up of fat which can catch fire.
- Drinking alcohol and cooking is a mix that can end in disaster.
If a pan does catch fire:
- Do not move it – it could cause burns which last a lifetime.
- Turn off the heat if it is safe to do so but never lean over the pan to reach the cooker controls.
- Never throw water on it, this will only make it worse .
- Get out, stay out and call 999.
Top Tips to keep your home safe:
- Join ‘In the Zone’ (visit the In the Zone website (see link below)
- Always secure windows and doors – even in warmer weather and especially at night. If you do want to open a window, never leave it unattended.
- Keep small high-value items like your car keys, mobile phone, wallet, handbag and jewellery out of sight, and ensure they can not be seen through cat flaps and letter boxes.
- Don’t write down PIN numbers.
- Set light switch timers for when you are out or away on holiday.
- Take an interest in the security at the homes of vulnerable family members and look out for your neighbours.
- Report any suspicious behaviour. It is common for an offender to checkout a number of properties for entry points before finding a vulnerable home.
- Keep photos of your jewellery, take a note of serial numbers and mark your property with a forensic code liquid, like SmartWater. For further information please visit the smartwater website (see link below).
- should also register your property by visiting the Immobilise website (see link below).
Keep yourself safe:
- Alcohol can affect your judgement- alternate every alcoholic drink with a glass of water.
- Don’t walk home alone- stay in a group or better yet book a taxi.
- Keep expensive items like I-pods, mobile phones and laptops hidden when you’re walking around town- they could attract muggers.
- Shield your pin number when you’re at the cash point.
- In the Zone – For Top Tips to keep your home safe visit `In the Zone’
- SmartWater – For more information visit the SmartWater website
- Immobilise – To register your property vist the Immobilise website
