Halloween celebrates fear and urges you to go wild. The University of Tampa wants you to know that you can celebrate the dark side of the holiday without fretting over your safety as long as you take some precautionary steps.
In the recent past, it’s been a hectic time of year for campus officials. They want to make sure students stay safe, but still have fun.
“Halloween has become a different type of holiday in the past five to ten years,” said Gina Firth, associate dean of students. “It used to be kid focused, but the alcohol corporations got a hold of it and turned it into an adult drinking fest.”
Because of the relatively new association between drinking and Halloween, tips on staying safe are becoming more and more important.
This month students enrolled in Gateways have attended an alcohol education program. There have been signs posted around campus warning about the dangers of drinking and driving.
“The intent for the holiday is to have fun. Recognize that you don’t have to drink to have a good time,” said Firth. However, if you are going to drink, there are still ways to prevent getting yourself in sticky situations.
“You want to designate a sober friend. Make sure you have sober transportation and plan it ahead of time,” said Firth. “If you do choose to drink, keep your BAC low. If you are intoxicated, you increase your risk to be victimized. Keep your BAC below .06.”
There are easy ways to calculate your potential BAC right from your computer. Go to ut.edu/deanofstudents/drugfree and click on Blood Alcohol Content Calculator to plan ahead how many drinks you should consume per hour.
“Eat before you go out. High protein and high fat foods are the best because they work as a time-release capsule, by slowing the absorption rate of alcohol into your bloodstream,” said Firth.
Even if you’re not drinking, there are still ways to avoid dangerous situations during the weekend of Halloween.
“Always lock your doors, and don’t let anyone into your building. If that nonresident commits a crime, you’ll be responsible, as well,” said Firth. “Don’t hold or prop doors open because that allows people who don’t belong to enter.”
Firth added that students should always travel in groups and come back with the same group they left with. “We try to give these messages all year long,” Firth said. “Halloween comes with a history of alcohol fueled events. We want students to be prepared to stay safe.”
UT does not discourage a good time during Halloween. The only goal of UT staff is to see that students have a fun and safe experience in Tampa. “Have a great time,” Firth said. “Have lots and lots of fun and make good memories you can remember.”