The excitement of a new school year is hard to deny, and with that comes the desire to party. A common way to celebrate a new beginning is to throw a couple back and be with the friends you missed all summer. Whether what’s being thrown back is alcoholic or not, students need to be aware of how they can keep themselves safe.

In this seemingly sleepy seaside town, it can sometimes seem like safety is not a concern. Despite appearances, it can be dangerous this time of year with all these new people in town and the contagious excitement of the new year. Here are some tips NMU Public Safety offered.

•Secure your property. This includes getting your bike registered and locking up valuables. Although we live in a small, idyllic city, it doesn’t negate “better safe than sorry.”

•Walk and park in well-lit locations. Also, walk in numbers.

•Take a self-defense class. While average students may not be able to find enough time in their schedule to carve out a place for a class of this nature, it’s important to realize that being able to protect yourself and recognize danger when it occurs is helpful when going out at night with friends.

•Watch your drinks. If you’ve set your drink down and walked away from it, do not resume drinking it. Anybody at anytime may have put something in your drink without your knowing it that can result in sexual assault or even death. If you are drinking at a party, make sure that you have your drink with you at all times.

•Do not leave parties with strangers. Make a plan for who you’re going to a party with and leave with them; this will prevent something bad from happening if you’re inebriated and aren’t making the most informed decisions.

•Make a plan to get out of bad situations and put 911 on speed dial.

•Utilize the Escort program if you ever feel unsafe on campus. To ask for an escort, call Public Safety at 906-227-2151. Escorts are student employees who have been carefully screened and selected.

We hope that students will heed these suggestions as they party this semester, starting off the year in the absolute best way possible: safe and fun.