{"id":2077,"date":"2018-10-26T06:25:25","date_gmt":"2018-10-26T06:25:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/host-students.com\/uncategorized\/5-tips-for-staying-safe-in-the-dark\/"},"modified":"2025-10-08T12:57:31","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T12:57:31","slug":"5-tips-for-staying-safe-in-the-dark","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/host-students.com\/information\/new-students\/5-tips-for-staying-safe-in-the-dark\/","title":{"rendered":"5 tips for staying safe in the dark"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s that time of year, summer has been and gone, and winter is fast approaching. Students are thinking about Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas, and the dark nights are starting to draw in.<\/p>\n

Undeniably it\u2019s important to stay safe and be cautious at all times of the year. But it\u2019s particularly true this time of year; the mornings stay darker for longer and the afternoons and evenings become darker sooner. So, below are a few top tips on staying safe.<\/p>\n

1. Stick together<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Whether you\u2019re leaving university late, going to a friend\u2019s house or are heading home after a night out, avoid walking by yourself. Try to walk with others that you know; safety in numbers is key when it comes to walking in the dark.<\/p>\n

2. Know your route<\/strong><\/h4>\n

If you have to walk in the dark, especially if you\u2019re on your own, be sure to know where you\u2019re going. Stick to well used main roads and pedestrian areas, and ones that are well lit. And even if you know a short cut, don\u2019t stray from the beaten path. Avoid cutting through remote alleyways, parks, wasteland and canal towpaths.<\/p>\n

3. Plan ahead<\/strong><\/h4>\n

If you\u2019re out for the night and know you need to get home at the end of the night, then be sure to plan ahead. Arrange with a friend or family member to pick you up or book a taxi. If you\u2019re planning on getting a taxi, make sure you keep money aside to pay the fare and be sure to use a licensed taxi firm; never get in an unmarked taxi.<\/p>\n

4. Stay in touch<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Make sure someone knows where you\u2019re going and what time they can expect you back. If you have to walk, or if you\u2019re getting in a taxi, let someone know when you\u2019re setting off, and then get back in touch with them when you\u2019ve arrived at your destination. That way, they should know if something is wrong if you fail to contact them as expected. And remember, when going out for the night to have a fully charged phone.<\/p>\n

5. Be alert<\/strong><\/h4>\n

If you do have to walk alone in the dark, avoid things such as listening to music or talking on the phone for too long. It\u2019s important to be fully alert and aware of your surroundings, without any distractions. It\u2019s also a good idea to keep any valuables such as phones, headphones, money, keys etc hidden, as they will draw attention to you.<\/p>\n

If you’re new to a city or town and aren’t sure of the safest routes back to your accommodation, or you need the number of a local taxi firm, speak to your Host team and they’ll be happy to help. They’ll also be able to provide you with further information to help you stay safe.<\/p>\n

If you would like to find out more about our student accommodation, take a look at our locations<\/a> or contact us<\/a> for more information.\u00a0You can also follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and Instagram<\/a> for the latest updates.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s important to stay safe and be cautious at all times of the year, but it\u2019s particularly true this time of year as the mornings stay darker for longer and the afternoons and evenings become darker much sooner. So, below are a few top tips on staying safe.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":2078,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[54,56],"subject":[67],"location-tax":[],"class_list":["post-2077","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-new-students","category-university-students","subject-student-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n5 Tips for Staying Safe in the Dark at Uni - Blog | Host<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It\u2019s that time of year when winter is approaching. 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