Off on a night out? Here's ways you can keep safe...

At university you have a whole new sense of independence and freedom. You can stay out as late as you want, do whatever you want. Here's a few reminders on what you can do to keep you and your friends and flatmates safe. 

Line your stomach

Before you head out, make sure to line your stomach with a hearty meal. Food helps to slow the absorption of alcohol which will stop it going to your head so quickly. Carbs and protein are ideal to eat before you go out, make it a ritual before you go out to cook with your flatmates. You will also save money by avoiding the 4am kebab order. 

Stay hydrated...with water!

When you go up to the bar to grab another drink, consider asking for a glass of water too. Not only is tap water free in bars, but it helps keep you hydrated which may lessen the hangover the next day. 

Always take some cash for cab

Before you go out, set aside money for a taxi home. It might be a good idea to carry a small amount of cash with you so that if you lose your bank card, you can still find get home via a Liverpool licensed hackney cab.

Pace yourself

Everyone copes with alcohol differently, when you're on a night out don't feel the pressure to keep up with friends. If you are doing rounds, there is nothing wrong with ordering a soft drink or water instead of alcohol. It'll also help you avoid a horrible headache in your lecture the next day.

Watch your drink

Liverpool is a safe place to be sadly drink spiking has become more widespread over the recent years. Having your drink spiked with alcohol or drugs can make you very vulnerable. Drink spiking can be subtle and barely noticeable but have serious effects. Here are a few things you can do to help protect yourself:

• Never leave your drink unattended
• Don't accept drinks from someone you don't know or trust
• Don't drink from other people's glasses
• Look for changes in your drink - is the straw missing or is it fizzing in a way it wasn't before?
• Ask bar staff for a cover for your drink
• If you notice anything unusual about your drink - tell bar staff

Spiking a drink can carry a sentence of up to 10 years, and spiking even includes adding additional shots into your friends drink without them knowing. Educate yourself on all of the facts around drink spiking and date rape drugs here. 

If you suspect that you may have been spiked on a night out, call Campus Support and an ambulance if necessary, and then follow up by letting your RA know. It's also important to report this to the Police. Spiking reports are now done online.

Reporting spiking to the Police

You can report spiking or spiking-related offences on the Police website, along with advice & info to help you or someone you know who has been affected by spiking. There is no time limit to reporting, whenever it happened, you can report it here. Never feel shame for having been spiked as it's not your fault. Always report it.

Look out for friends

On a night out make sure to always stick together. Not only is this key in protecting yourself from spiking, but it also leads to a safer night out. If someone's disappeared don't assume they’ve headed home, find out for sure. Don’t leave anyone behind. Consider turning on 'find my location' apps on your phones so that you always know where someone is if you are struggling to find them. 

Staying with a group of friends often makes you feel more comfortable on a night out, however if you ever do get separated and are left in an uncomfortable position in a bar or club, approach the bar staff and 'ask for Angela'. 

Ask for Angela is a campaign designed to reduce sexual abuse on nights out, a number of bars and clubs around Liverpool participate. If you feel uncomfortable, simply go up to the bar and 'ask for Angela' for support with getting home safely.

Make sure your taxi is legitimate

When it's time to go home, make sure the taxi you are getting is legitimate. Always order a taxi from an App like Uber or Delta to ensure that the drivers are licensed. If you've got a long wait for a taxi, stay somewhere safe and well-lit until your cab turns up, ideally with a friend. You can also opt for a Hackney Cab. Always look for a personal ID badge which should be on display in any taxi.

Once you are home safely, make sure to drop a message in the group chat so that all of your friends know! 

If you choose to walk home, try to do so in a group and keep to well lit areas. If you feel unsafe at any point, go into the nearest shop or food outlet and ask for help.

The Liverpool Night Bus helps people travel safely around Liverpool and the Wirral. The service runs every hour from midnight to 5am every Thursday night/Friday morning through to Saturday night/Sunday morning. 

Campus Support

If you do find yourself alone and are concerned about safely heading back to Halls by yourself, you can call the University's Campus Support team for advice and support on 0151 794 3252 (emergency number 0151 794 2222). Make sure you have these numbers saved in your phone in case you need them. The Campus Support Team can help arrange to get you back to campus, and then have a chaperone service on campus to accompany you back to Halls..

Here's Andy, the University's police officer, with some tips on staying safe on a night out...