Safety Tips while Studying at Halmstad University

Safety Tips while Studying at Halmstad University For Incoming International Students

halmstad university International Office • www.hh.se

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INTRODUCTION Many students are concerned with issues of safety concerning studies abroad. Halmstad is a great place to live, but as with all towns and cities you need to take sensible health and safety precautions as part of your daily routine. You also need to be aware of health and safety risks in places where you live and study. The situation in Sweden may be different to what you are used to at home. It is essential therefore that you learn about Swedish crime prevention and health and safety advice and follow this while you are here. In the following guide we will try to address several issues concerning safety.

This information is certainly not complete, but we hope to highlight some of the major concerns and risk factors for travelling and living abroad. The keys to success in any unfamiliar, urban area are knowledge and prevention. With sufficient knowledge about how to protect yourself and how to avoid taking unnecessary risks, you are less likely to be a victim of crime. So use the same common sense travelling abroad that you would use at home.

With sufficient knowledge about how to protect yourself and how to avoid taking unnecessary risks, you can avoid becoming a victim of crime!

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WHEN TRAVELLING Clearly mark luggage with your home address and name. Also have your destination address with you if you have to file a claim for lost luggage for future delivery by the airline Make a list of the possessions you packed (including make, model and serial numbers) for reference and ideally keep photographic records of valuables. This will help you if the luggage is lost.

Keep a copy of your passport and identification accessible and in a secure place in case your passport is lost or stolen. If your documents are lost or stolen, report this immediately to the organisation which issued them.

Leave valuables at home including expensive jewellery. If you cannot imagine something being lost, broken or stolen, do not take it with you.

Carry your computer, camera and other electronics in padded cases in your hand luggage. But try not to use a computer case when carrying a laptop; use a less obvious bag to carry it in and think before using it. Also make back up copies of your work regularly and keep copies in a safe place in case your laptop is stolen.

Once you have arrived, make arrangements to contact family and friends to let them know you have arrived safely.

While travelling, do not leave bags unattended.

Remember there are �pickpockets� in any town or city in the world, so never carry large sums of money with you.

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SAFETY AT HOME AND AT YOUR ACCOMMODATION

Remember to dial ”112 ” for fire, police, or ambulance services for a “life threatening” emergency!

Always lock the door and windows of your home/ room, even if you are leaving for only one minute.

Make a habit of locking your door and window when you are at home as well, especially at night.

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Make sure valuable items can’t be seen through the window of your room.

Do not sleep with your MP3 player or your music phone on. If some one breaks in you might not hear it.

Do not let anyone you don’t know into the accommodation.

If you live in shared accommodation, don’t assume that someone else will make it secure when you go out.

Make sure you leave the house locked at all times.

If you are leaving the accommodation for a longer period of time, ask a friend to open and close your curtains/blinds in the mornings and evenings. Use a time-switch for your lights and radios to make it appear as if there is someone in; these can be bought from hardware shops and other high street retailers.

If you do see signs of a break-in – smashed windows or open doors – don’t go in. Go to a friend or neighbour’s house and call the police (dial 112). Do not touch anything when you do go back in as you could destroy valuable evidence.

How to avoid being trapped by fire when inside buildings Find the location of and, where appropriate, learn how to use fire exits, fire-assembly points, fire-fighting equipment and first-aid facilities. Learn the procedures for emergency evacuation and follow the instructions. Also check regularly that your accommodation has working smoke alarms and never dismantle it!

Every home should have at least one smoke alarm, preferably two, which should be tested regularly.

SAFETY WHEN YOU GO OUT Some areas of Halmstad are safer than others. Check with your friends what areas to avoid. There is a difference between safety during the day and safety at night.

Be aware of your surroundings at all times – keep headphones off or low to hear announcements. Also be wary of people you do not know.

When you go out, walking with friends is safer than going out alone. If it is after dark, use well-lit streets and always walk in groups or use public transport.

Remember if you walk alone at night or in unknown areas it could be dangerous.

If you feel you are being followed, cross the street (more than once if necessary), and if you are still uncomfortable move as quickly as possible to a public area, such as a restaurant or bar, and phone for help.

If someone tries to rob you, do not argue or resist. Your safety is more important than your money and valuables. Also avoid confrontation – it’s better and safer to walk away if you are being provoked or hassled.

If someone tries to attack you, run away and shout for help. Fight back only if you have no other alternative.

Avoid attracting attention by wearing expensive jewellery and also don’t carry large amounts of cash with you when you are out.

Take precautions to keep yourself safe when you are in pubs, bars and clubs. Don’t accept drinks from strangers or leave your drink unattended in public places as the ‘spiking’ of drinks with drugs or alcohol is on the increase.

Exhibit street-smart behaviour for the culture you are living in!

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LAWS IN SWEDEN Legal Requirements in Sweden You are subject to the laws of the country you will visit. The laws of Sweden are probably not unlike the laws of your home country.

Smoking indoors is not accepted in for example pubs, restaurants etc and this also includes your apartment. If you smoke in the apartment you can be obliged to pay compensation.

To buy tobacco you must be 18 years or older.

To be able to buy alcohol at the state-run liquor store / off licence in Sweden called “Systembolaget� you must be 20 years or older (but if you go to a pub you can be 18). Please note that there is not allowed to drink alcohol outside in the town centre of Halmstad.

All kinds of drugs are forbidden in Sweden.

It is forbidden to carry any weapon, including small knives, even for self-protection.

Please note that a crime which is motivated by prejudice towards a person because of their gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, race or religion, is not allowed.

Driving without insurance and after drinking alcohol exceeding permitted limits (0.2 per mille in the blood).

When you ride a bike, you must have bicycle lamps if it is dark outside.

Driving in Sweden When it comes to driving in Sweden you must make sure you fulfil the legal requirements and be aware of the correct procedures before you drive in Sweden. You must have a licence that allows you to 6

drive in Sweden. If you have a driver’s licence that was issued in your home country, you must find out if it is valid in Sweden.

In Sweden we drive on the right hand side of the road and overtake on the left. Seat belts must be worn when driving at all times. When driving you must not drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and you must observe all speed limits. Remember, pedestrians have the right of way when you cross pedestrian crossings.

Other important information Always remember to dial ”112” for fire, police, or ambulance services for a “life threatening” emergency. Keep this number near your telephone.

Always cooperate with the police, fire department and ambulance services where necessary.

Learn traffic and transportation precautions, norms and standards.

Don’t hitch-hike.

Never walk across or touch railway lines – it is very dangerous and you could be badly injured or even killed.

If you are unlucky and become a victim of crime or you witness a crime while you are here, please get in touch with the University for information.

Walk on the pavement, facing oncoming traffic.

When crossing the road, remember that vehicles drive on the right in Sweden so they will be coming towards you from the left.

ALWAYS remember to dial

112 in case of emergency

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We extend a varm welcome to all of you international students awaiting your studies here in one of Sweden’s most beautiful towns and dynamic universities!

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HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY P O Box 823 • SE 301 18 Halmstad • Visiting Address: Kristian IV:s väg 3 Telephone: +46 35 16 71 00 • ia@hh.se • www.hh.se

Information Department, Halmstad University • December 2009, 400 copies.

Halmstad University is one of the most popular universities in Sweden. The University is still fairly young but has already acquired a tradition of interdisciplinary research, innovation and entrepreneurship. The broad selection of courses attracts people of all interests, together they all contribute to our special atmosphere and sense of fellowship. Naturally, the exchange students are an important part of this multitude and we will do everything to make sure you will feel right at home.