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Tag: safety

  • Campus Safety Tips: Things You Should Know

    Campus Safety Tips: Things You Should Know

    Your college or university campus might feel like a second home, but it is important to remember to keep safe, both during the day and at night. With a bit of consideration, you can ensure your student experience remains a positive and safe one.

    Know Your Campus Safety Resources

    Every college and university wants their students to feel safe and secure while on campus, and usually offer a comprehensive list of safety services and resources available to students. One of your first tasks should be to look up these resources in the student handbook or online, and familiarize yourself with what programs your institution offers, so that you know where to go and who to contact in case of any emergency. Depending on the school, services can include campus police services, safe escort teams to walk with you between campus destinations, first aid and first responder services, and emergency phones or kiosk stations installed across campus. All schools also offer prevention and counselling services for sexual harassment and other forms of harassment. Get to know where these services are located on campus, what their phone and other contact details are, and their hours of operation if applicable, so that you know your options if you ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe on campus. These services, and the volunteers who run them, are there to help you, and their goal is your safety and the safety of the campus overall.

    Plan Ahead and Be Prepared

    Other ways to help ensure your safety on campus can include planning ahead when you know you will be on campus for class or studying, especially late at night when there are fewer people out and about. When you make your plans, know exactly where you are going, and how you will get there. Learn the location of your parking or public transit stops, and the best path to reach your destination, ideally through a brightly lit, busy street or building. Avoid any shortcuts, shadowed pathways, and unpopulated areas, and be aware of your surroundings. If possible, plan to walk with a friend, or arrange for your campus walking escort service to accompany you. It is also a good idea to carry a cell phone with the campus emergency services’ phone numbers saved in your contacts, and enough cash for a cab ride in case of emergency. Lastly, notify friends or roommates of your plans, including destination and what time you plan to return, and ensure you lock all the doors and windows of your residence room, house or car when you leave.

    Trust Your Instincts

    If you do ever feel unsafe on campus, trust your instincts and take preventative measures. For example, should you be harassed by someone, or feel that you are being followed, act immediately to get to a well lit and busy place, and call your campus security or police service, or 911. Nothing is more important than your safety, and these services are always available and ready to help.

    Campus safety doesn’t just mean safety outdoors. If you or you know someone who is being bullied or otherwise, on a daily basis, let your campus authorities know. The same goes for the online world; many students in university or college can be victims of digital harassment online while at school. Be aware or your surroundings, how much you reveal about yourself and to who.

    Sources:

    Western University – Campus Life: Safety and Police

    http://www.uwo.ca/campus_life/safety_police.html

    University of Toronto – Safety

    http://safety.utoronto.ca/

     

  • Alcoholism on Campus

    Alcoholism on Campus

    When we enter college, there are a plethora of unanswered questions we ask ourselves. What is it going to be like; what will my professors be like; how will the environment be different than high school and how will I cope with the common anxieties of tests, quizzes and possibly a final thesis? Many of us have our coping mechanisms. Mine, for example, was coffee and cigarettes. Not only did they keep me up 14 hours a night through college, they also put me in a bad place health-wise.

    Students in college and university often turn to alcohol to “take the edge off”. With high stress and expectations, socially and academically, alcohol can seem like a good idea. However, it can lead to further dependence that becomes more than just substance abuse; it becomes a physical dependence that we call alcoholism.[1][2] Students that are also below the age of 19 (18 in some provinces) are at risk legally, too.

    Where the drinking begins can be a tough question. Individuals could have begun drinking before college which would leave them more susceptible to alcoholism in college and later in life. Regardless, many students tend to drink because of their environment; many colleges have gatherings for faculties and if their colleagues drink they might too, as means of alleviating any type of social stigma.

    Although most students drink socially, it can still have adverse effects on physical and mental health and be attributed to poor academic performance.[3] As the need for alcohol increases, it becomes more of a behavioral issue and can result in expulsion from school. Many college students who binge drink in college learn to drink in moderation after college. However there are a few students who, after finishing college continue to drink to the point of alcoholism, where it becomes a treatable disease.[4]

    In essence, once of legal age, moderate alcohol consumption on campus is fine. A beer here and there will do you no trouble. You don’t need to drink an entire keg to fit in. You don’t want to risk the safety of yourself and others. Just remember to stay safe and drink responsibly!

    References:

    [1] http://www.cehd.umn.edu/fsos/projects/alcohol/whydrink.asp

    [2] http://healthland.time.com/2012/05/14/dsm-5-could-mean-40-of-college-students-are-alcoholics/

    [3] http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertglatter/2014/03/11/update-on-binge-drinking-among-college-students-from-bad-to-worse/

    [4] https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-high-functioning-alcoholic/200906/why-some-phase-out-college-binge-drinking-and-others-are

  • Be Internet Smart

    Be Internet Smart

    The internet plays a vital role in most of our lives. We use it to communicate with one another, research and educate ourselves and create things. But the dangers of the internet are always there and carelessness and misuse of it can result in some serious consequences.

    We have all heard of computer viruses. They aren’t limited to harming just a single computer, they can attack multiple computers within seconds. Viruses are used to spy on random targets and collect confidential information such as bank or credit card information. It is important to make sure your computer has its firewall set up as well as anti-virus. Before playing on the Internet, ask your parents or a teacher if the computer you are using is protected. Also be aware of deceiving ads that often unknowingly install software on your computer to steal personal information.

    As the Internet offers an array of entertaining activities, such as movies, television and games, it can be very addictive. It may sound funny, but there is a medical condition known as IAD (Internet Addiction Disorder). Symptoms may include excessive or compulsive use of websites used for social media and online purchasing.  It is a good idea to take consistent breaks from the internet every so often.

    We know the Internet is a great place to interact. You meet people through chat rooms and games. However, it can be very dangerous as we cannot always put a face behind the person on the other side. Individuals may become victims of cyberbullying or may be coerced into sending photos or sharing personal information. So be aware of who you are chatting with and only chat with people you personally know, such as classmates and your friends, on a safer platform like Skype. And NEVER go into random Internet chat rooms.

    Although the Internet offers a variety of activities, it also poses a major threat in many ways. Always be cautious of viruses, personal usage and potential predators online. Be safe and have fun.

  • Employee Rights

    Employee Rights

    Each and every worker in Canada has three rights…
    1. The Right to Know
    2. The Right to Participate
    3. The Right to Refuse Dangerous Work

    The Right to Know
    All employees have a right to know what hazards are present on the job, and how these hazards can affect them. You usually learn about the hazards during health and safety training sessions and through on-the-job instructions. Learning about chemical safety through WHMIS – the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System – is also part of the “right to know” system.

    The Right to Participate
    All employees have a right to take part in health and safety activities. For example, you can be chosen to be a health and safety representative or a member of a committee. You also have a right to report unsafe practices and conditions without worrying that you will lose your job or be reprimanded (get in trouble).

    The Right to Refuse Dangerous Work
    All employees can refuse work that is dangerous to themselves or to co-workers. If you refuse work, there are specific procedures that must be followed.

    Don’t be afraid to exercise your Rights!

  • WSIB: Seven Things You’d Better Know

    WSIB: Seven Things You’d Better Know

    1. What you don’t know can hurt you…
    There are hazards in every workplace and you – the young and inexperienced worker – are especially at risk.

    2. What you do know can save your life…
    You need to be able to identify the hazards in your workplace.

    3. The Law Protects…
    You have the legal right to protect your health and safety.

    4. The Law Expects…
    Your employer, your supervisor(s), and you all have legal responsibilities to make sure the workplace is healthy and safe.

    5. You Can Expect…
    Your employer and your supervisor must ensure you have the information or required training and equipment you need to protect yourself.

    6. You Must Report…
    If you are injured or become sick at the workplace, you must report it to your supervisor.

    7. Don’t gamble with your health and safety…
    It’s not a game. You need to protect yourself.

    Tell Me More…
    Information on applicable laws, WHMIS, joint health and safety committees, and more can be found on the WSIB (Workplace Safety & Insurance Board) YOUNG WORKER AWARENESS PROGRAM website.