As exciting as college can be, campus life can be less than safe or even dangerous. Rather than fearmonger or put a damper on anyone’s upcoming collegiate experience, we believe it’s more important to put safety firstand simply be prepared for any possible emergencies.
In the spirit of “just in case,” we pulled together a collection of safety goods that can come in handy for everything from a flat tire to a walk home in the wee hours or even parties where substances may be consumed.
Scroll ahead and you’ll find location-tracking devices, drink protectors and other items that can give you or any student some peace of mind.
HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.
If your young driver is ever in a potentially dangerous situation inside a car, this type of emergency safety tool can be vital to have. It has a razor-sharp stainless-steel blade that can quickly slice through a jammed seat belt, and a metal double-head hammer that can break through tempered glass. This set of two from Amazon Basics has a 4.7 out of 5-star rating.
This slim and portable charging bank delivers lightning-fast charging power to most iPhone 15 models, Androids, tablets, and other devices such as AirPods. Charge up to three devices at once using the two USB-A ports and one USB-C port; the bank promises to charge an iPhone up to 78% in just one hour.
Don’t forget to add the 10% coupon on the product page before checkout.
For non-Apple product users, the Tile is a similar tracking device that uses Bluetooth and an accompanying app to keep tabs on valuables. When it’s within the 250-foot range, users can ask the app (or preferred Smart Home system) to find the Tile and it will ring, or, if it’s out of Bluetooth range, users can still view the lost item’s last location via the app. It’s water-resistant and compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
Birdie was designed by a sister duo that felt compelled to make a safety tool in response to the grim sexual assault statistics impacting women in the U.S. This easy-to-use keychain emits an alarm as loud as a jet engine alongside flashing strobe lights in order to create a diversion and get attention from other people in the area in an effort to potentially deter an attacker.
Using a digital pressure gauge to check tires monthly may help you catch tire-related issues before they lead to accidents. This particular easy-to-use tool has four settings to check pressure on a variety of tires and a built-in LED flashlight to make it easier to take readings in the dark.
The Halo Bolt Air is a compact jump-starter and ultra-portable air compressor that can revive a full-size car or SUV using the included jumper cables and inflate tires using the four interchangeable nozzles, also included. This helpful gadget promises reverse polarity protection and short circuit protection for safe operation, and it also has a powerful LED floodlight as well as two USB ports for charging essential electronics.
What would appear to be a normally functioning hair scrunchie actually transforms into a reusable and (mostly) universal cover that fits over cups and glassware to prevent the chance of drink spiking. The Nightcap, which comes in four color options and multipacks, also has a straw hole to make beverages easy to drink. And for bottled or canned drinks, the brand also makes reusable caps and insulated can covers.
As difficult as it may be to think about, recreational drug use is a possibility among college-age groups and Narcan is a legal and widely available harm-reduction treatment that could potentially save the life of someone who is experiencing an overdose. Administered in the form of a nasal spray, this medication works to reverse overdoses on opioids such as codeine, OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin and fentanyl. Griffin Wynne, a volunteer with the harm reduction nonprofit Savage Sisters Recovery (and a writer here at HuffPost), recommends these resources on how to recognize an overdose, how to administer Narcan and how best to respond to an opioid overdose.
These blunt-tipped metal tools are intended for non-lethal self-defense and could possibly deter an attacker if used correctly. The grooved surface allows for a better grip and greater control.
Add an extra layer of security to dorm rooms or shared student living spaces with this portable door lock that works on all inward-swinging doors with a bolt between the door and the jamb. It uses a fortified metal plate to prevent unwanted entry and doesn’t require the use of screws, tools or drills to install.
If a student is staying in a ground-level dorm or an apartment with bottom-floor windows, these small yet mighty locks can prevent an intruder from forcing open a window from the outside. Each damage-free lock is outfitted with a built-in key and anti-slip protection pads and easily installs onto a sliding window track.
The deep slots on parking meters and ATMs can make it difficult to pull out your card, especially if you have longer fingernails. These rubber-tipped tweezer tools attach to existing key rings and easily grab and pull cards from slots so users don’t have to nervously struggle or make themselves a potential target for theft.