12 Tips for Staying Safe on a Night Out at UEA

University is full of exciting moments: enjoying days out, getting involved in events around campus, and often, exploring your local nightlife. Whether that means music or comedy shows, pubs and clubs or meals out with friends, you might find yourself outside, or away from your bedroom, late at night and after dark.

Ahead of having fun and sharing new experiences, your safety should be the number-one priority. In this guide we’ll share 12 tips to help you stay safe on a night out, or any time you’re out late.

Our campus has 24/7 security, 365 days a year. For more information on how we can support your wellbeing at UEA, check out our dedicated hub; you’ll find guidance on managing stress, talking therapy sessions and more.

1 – Go out prepared

Before travelling or socialising at night, make sure you do the following:

Charge your phone
Download the SafeZone app and register with your UEA email address for 24/7 access to our Security team, for first aid, non-urgent and urgent support
Store your wallet or cards/ID in front pockets (your back pockets aren’t in sight, so this is riskier should you come across a pickpocketer)
If you need to withdraw money, do it ahead of time
If you’re carrying a bag, make sure it can be securely fastened – and remind yourself to keep hold of it at all times

2 – Stay in a group and create a group chat

Stick with a group of people you trust. Your safety is compromised when you’re alone, so surround yourself on a night out and ensure everyone has a buddy to support them getting home.

Setting up a temporary group chat for the night out is a great way to stay in contact if you get separated. The group can use it to confirm they got home safe, too.

3 – Eat before drinking alcohol

You might or might not want to drink alcohol on nights out. Each choice is fine of course, but those who opt in should remember to drink responsibly.

First, make sure you’ve eaten a normal amount during the day. This is an easy one to underestimate, but having something to eat before a night out drinking reduces the chances of getting ill or losing control later in the evening.

4 – Drink plenty of water, and pace yourself

Drink lots of water when you’re out drinking alcohol and/or dancing in busy and confined spaces. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it encourages the body to expel fluids via urine. This is what causes you to become dehydrated through drinking alcohol, and leads to those nasty hangovers.

Drinking too much alcohol, too fast, is a sure-fire way to become vulnerable to illness or crime. If you tend to get drunker than you’re comfortable with or feel the effects of alcohol more quickly than you’d like to, ease up on how much you’re consuming and swap every other drink for a soft one.

5 – Book taxis ahead of time

Organise your ride home before setting out where possible, and only use licensed companies. Try and travel with at least one other person; not only is this potentially cheaper when you’re getting a taxi, it prevents anyone from being alone.

If you don’t have the money for a taxi home after a night out, our Safer Taxis scheme lets you give your name and student number to participating taxi companies instead of your fare home. Your invoice will then be sent to the Student Union, and you can pay your fare back once you’re home safe.

6 – Stay in well-lit areas

Whether you’re walking across the city-centre or heading to the next bar, stick to the great nightlife within our well-lit campus, or keep to areas that have plenty of lighting nearby; this keeps you, and everyone else, in sight at all times.

7 – Don't accept anything from strangers

Never accept a drink or food from someone you don’t know. Drink spiking is extremely serious, and you can’t tell who might be intending you harm, especially if you’re inebriated already.

Keep an eye on your drink at all times and always go to the bar with a member of your group. For extra security, you can pick up spikeys (anti-spiking bottle stoppers) and drink covers for free from the Student Information Zone.

8 – Don't accept drugs from anyone

Recreational drugs aren’t safe, period, and taking something unknown could put your life in danger – even when it comes from someone you trust.

Some people will take drugs despite this. If so, they should make sure they’re in the company of friends who care about them, who won’t leave them alone and who know what they’ve taken, in case emergency support is needed.

9 – Crowded transport is your friend

If you have to take the bus or train to get home, try and sit where everyone else is. Don’t put yourself in an isolated situation with nobody around.

Students entering the Waterfront at night

10 – Consider a safety alarm

Personal safety alarms can protect you and ease anxiety when you’re out at night; they can alert passersby if you’re in trouble, and act as a deterrent to any aggressors.

11 – Be aware of the dangers of bodies of water

Alcohol slows down reaction times and impedes judgement. If you’re drunk and lose your balance while walking next to a body of water, there’s a greater risk that you could fall in. When you’re out in the dark, with fewer people around, you’re less likely to be seen if you have an accident.

12 – Think twice before you go home with someone

Meeting new people is one of the best parts of uni life, and it might be tempting to go home together and carry on the fun. If you’ve only just met someone though, think about whether you’ll feel safe in the situation (whether you’re heading to theirs or vice versa), and if not, remember you can always agree to meet up another time. If you do feel unsafe, or you need to report a crime, use 999 to call the police, or contact UEA Security on 592222. You can also contact our 24/7 Security team directly by using the SafeZone app.

As you’ve seen, having that close support network is essential for keeping yourself safe at night. If you’re looking for ways to meet new people during your time at university, our support guide will have you forging those valuable friendships in no time.