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The new school year is almost upon us. In the flurry of new classes, new books, new friends, and even new places to live, safety is one thing that can be forgotten. Thomas M. Kane, president of The College Safety Zone and author of the book Protect Yourself at College: Smart Choices – Safe Results (Capital Books, 2008, $15.95), has tips for students on protecting themselves in a wide variety of situations at school.

“College campuses are no different than any other town in America. There are problems and crime, but unfortunately, once at school, many students tend to let their guard down,” says Thomas Kane. “It’s almost as if they are lulled into a false sense of security. Many problems can be prevented, however, by employing basic common sense precautions that can significantly reduce the likelihood of being attacked or hurt on campus.”

In Protect Yourself at College, Thomas Kane offers safety tips on multiple topics, such as dorm safety and drinking to date rape and computer crime, including his top ten tips for getting around campus safely:

• When you walk on campus, walk with confidence. Stand up straight, look directly at people, and make eye contact.
• Try to walk with someone else. Make it a point to notice who is leaving your class and heading in your direction, either to the dorms or your next class. Chances are they will welcome your company.
• Make sure you know the exact location of the outdoor emergency phones on campus.
• Never use an iPod while walking at night.
• Know the phone number for campus police.
• Let your roommate or friends know your schedule. Chances are they’d like to give you their schedule as well.
• Be sure the paths you take have decent lighting and are well traveled.
• If someone stops and asks you for directions, do not approach the car. Maintain a safe distance between you and the people in the vehicle.
• Avoid taking shortcuts, especially at night. Yes, you may save two minutes, but you could be inviting problems.
• If you are driving on campus, always look for parking spaces that are well lit.

“The stories and precautions suggested throughout this book can aid in reducing the risk of a student becoming a victim of a crime or an accident,” says Thomas R. King, Chief of Police, State College, Pennsylvania.

From dorm safety and drinking to spring break, date rape and computer crime, Protect Yourself at School offers practical tips for protecting our students from campus crime and accidents from the founder of The College Safety Zone. Based on over three years of extensive research and interviews with college officials, the book is a vital handbook parents will want to give their students as they pack them up for school and school administrators in high school and college will want to hand each student. The book includes quick tips and sane advice for having fun but staying safe, on numerous topics including: Life in the Dorms, Online Social Networking and  Stalkers, Greek Life and Hazing, Alcohol and Drugs, Dating, Spring Break,  and Cyber Crime. Every chapter includes real-life examples and handy checklists.

Thomas M. Kane is an outspoken advocate for college students and their safety.  As president of The College Safety Zone, he is frequently called-upon as a media expert and speaker to student organizations and college officials on campus security and safety issues. Tom is a member of the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities and has appeared on ABC News, The O’Reilly Factor, CNN’s Crossfire, The God Squad, MSNBC, FOX Wire with Rita Cosby, and Geraldo at Large. He has been featured on hundreds of talk-radio programs throughout the United States and Canada. Tom Kane is the author of Priests Are People, Too!. He lives near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with his wife and daughter.