Fact: Anybody can become a victim of crime – regardless of gender, nationality, age, socio-economic background & lifestyle

Fact: Awareness is the key to prevention

Fact: Assailants look for vulnerable & available targets

Fact: Most burglaries occur when someone is at home

This article is in no way meant to scare you. Instead I am using this article as a method of educating the students of CIT on ways you can stay safe.

Personal Safety

• Do not carry large amounts of cash or important documents, such as your passport, in your wallet or purse, unless you really need them
• Keep a photocopy of your passport, plane tickets, etc., in a safe place
• Be careful when using ATM machines or withdrawing money at banks
• Never use shortcuts to your destination. Main thoroughfares which are well lit and used by others are the safest routes
• Never walk alone through isolated areas of the city during the day or at night
• Never accept a lift from a stranger

• Always travel with others – groups are harder to target than individuals
• Always carry a mobile phone
• Do not walk around with large, expensive cameras visible
• Be very careful with handbags or rucksacks, especially in cafés, pubs and restaurants
• Know the emergency contact details of the Gardai (999 or 112), your nearest local Garda Station

Accommodation Safety

• Never leave doors or windows open or unlocked, day or night, whether you are at home or not
• Never leave windows ajar at night for ventilation
• Install and use locks on your doors and windows
• Ensure that door and window locks are of good standard
• Pester your landlord to fix any broken locks or improve security immediately; it is their obligation to do so
• Lock your doors when using the kitchen, shower, or toilet, or even when you are simply calling next door
• Never give the key to your apartment to friends and do not leave keys in letterboxes for collection by friends
• Remember to insure all your personal possessions

When going out of your accommodation:

• Close the curtains in your room and turn on the light and/or radio to give the impression that the room is occupied
• Do not advertise your absence by putting notes on your door
• Know who is at the door before opening it. Ask for identification (I.D.) from anyone you don’t know. If someone comes to your door and asks to use your phone to call for help, offer to make the call instead
• Keep emergency numbers near the phone
• Report any strangers or suspicious characters loitering in residence corridors, outside apartments or houses
• Do not put your name, residence number and/or address on your key
• Do not have large amounts of money or valuables in your room/apartment/house
• Take anything valuable home with you during your holidays – thieves are aware of student habits
• Record the serial numbers of items and mark property with an indelible pen.

Marked property is hard to dispose of and criminals usually ignore it

REMEMBER to insure personal belongings, especially laptops and jewellery.

Road/Transport Safety

When waiting for a bus/train at night, stand in a well-lit area near a group of people

• Check with the driver that the bus/train is going to your destination
• If possible, avoid planning to catch the last bus/train home, if you miss it you may have problems getting home
• If you do miss the last bus/train, consider a taxi
• If you lose property on public transport, contact the transport operator to find out their policy on lost and found. Also, check with the local Garda station. Items found can often be handed in there

Bicycle Safety and Security:

• Lock your bicycle when not in use, preferably to a cycle rack or other sturdy fixture.
• Never leave valuables with our bicycle
• Have your bike security marked and keep a record in a safe place
• Always use a cycle helmet and reflective clothing
• Cork has many cycle paths and lanes – use them. Do not cycle on pedestrian footpaths
• Before starting to cycle in Cork, familiarize yourself with roads, traffic systems and the local area. ‘Rules of the Road’ booklets are available in most book stores
• Remember to insure your bicycle

Pedestrian Safety

• Remember that in Ireland vehicles drive on the left side of the road, so look both left and right before crossing the road
• Pelican and zebra crossings are for the safety of pedestrians – use them!
• If walking at night, try to wear or carry something reflective or bright in colour so that you are visible