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Who says dressing up, carving pumpkins, and eating candy is just for kids? Halloween is one of the most popular holidays of the year among teens and adults, too! It鈥檚 important to pay attention to your surroundings and use your best judgment at any college party, but take special precautions when people will be in costume and possibly consuming alcohol.

Remember these Halloween safety tips this October 31:

1. Choose your Halloween costume wisely. If you鈥檙e going to dress up, be sure to wear something that you can move in. Sky-high heels and too-tight dresses can restrict your movement. Masks and wigs can accidentally cover your eyes, impairing your vision.

2. Obey laws, rules, and regulations. Whether you are going out in public, staying on campus, or heading to a party in an apartment complex, follow the rules. You don鈥檛 want to get arrested, kicked out of school, or injured!

3. Watch your drink. If you鈥檙e going to drink, do so responsibly. Never accept a beverage鈥攂eer, cocktail, or even water or soda鈥攆rom someone you don鈥檛 know. Never leave your drink unattended. If you step away for even a few seconds, get a new beverage. Someone with harmful intentions could slip something into your cup or bottle in the blink of an eye.

4. Know your limits. You don鈥檛 have to be drunk to have a good time on Halloween. Binge drinking is dangerous and can lead to much bigger problems than throwing up on your costume and waking up with a hangover the next morning.

5. Don鈥檛 drink and drive. Never ever drink and drive. Never accept a ride from someone that has been drinking, even if they鈥檝e 鈥渙nly had a couple beers鈥� or say they鈥檙e 鈥渙nly buzzed, not drunk.鈥� If you鈥檙e a designated driver, be extra careful on the roads. Other people who didn鈥檛 choose a DD may be breaking the law and driving while intoxicated, putting themselves as well as you and your friends in danger.

6. Decorate safely. Are you the party host? Make sure valuables and breakables are put away safely. Light your jack o鈥� lanterns with glow sticks instead of real candles, which are a fire hazard.

7. Use the buddy system. Don鈥檛 go to a Halloween party without a good friend. Make a pact to arrive and leave together, and keep tabs on each other all evening. If you must walk home after dark, walk with at least one other person and stay on a well-lit path. Calling campus security for a ride or hailing a cab might be a safer option.

8. Know the people you鈥檙e with. It can be tempting to tag along with friends of friends to someone鈥檚 Halloween party or even a bar or club, but being around people you don鈥檛 know very well could put you in danger.

9. Be kind but cautious. College can be an incredibly social place, but be on your toes when meeting new people who are wearing costumes, especially outfits that hide their faces or change their voices. That person might have ill intentions.

10. Keep your phone on. Be sure your phone is fully charged before you go out for the night and make sure the volume is turned on in case a friend is trying to reach you. Don鈥檛 let your phone out of your sight鈥攊t could save you in case of emergency.

11. Carry emergency cash. Keep cash tucked inside your pocket or costume. It could wind up being cab fare or other emergency money.

12. Trust your instincts. On Halloween or any other night, if something 鈥渏ust doesn鈥檛 feel right鈥� trust your gut instinct. Leave the party, don鈥檛 accept the drink, or just say no to whatever it is that鈥檚 making you uncomfortable. Your safety is more important than a party or possibly upsetting a friend.

Posted on 20 Oct

Melissa Rhone earned her Bachelor of Music in Education from the 911吃瓜网 of Tampa. She resides in the Tampa Bay area and enjoys writing about college, pop culture, and epilepsy awareness.