College is creeping right around the corner, and while the big social life might not be everyone's cup of tea with Greek life parties, bar hopping and clubbing, it's still important that you stay safe. College classes can run as late as 9 p.m., and not everyone has a car. Many students prefer to walk or take a bus back to wherever they're living for the year.
No matter how safe you believe your college town to be, there will always be predators and people itching to start some trouble out there. And because you're an adult now, it's up to you to take care of yourself. Thankfully, there are five downloadable life hacks that could save your butt out there one day, so I'd recommend that you take a look at them.
1. SafeTrek
Available on: iOS, Andriod
What it does and why it could help: If you are ever walking alone, and you feel unsafe, launch this app. A large button will appear in the center. Place your thumb on the button and hold it there as you walk. When you feel safe, or when you are where you need to be, release the button and type in your four-digit code (which you will create when you first get the app). If things turn for the worst, release the button and do not type in your code. Emergency services in your local area will be notified of your name, location and emergency.
2. Circle of 6
Available on: iOS, Android
What it does and why it could help: In this app, you can set up a contact group between six of your most trusted friends. If you need a ride, if you need to chat or if you need an interruption, this app will be here to help you easily get in contact with one or all of the six friends you have plugged in. It's a quick and easy way to let your friends know that you need help at any time.
3. TaxiPal
Available on: iOS, Android, Nokia
What it does and why it could help: Whether it's because you've had one hell of a night and aren't able to drive or you're simply afraid to walk home by yourself, TaxiPal has your back. This app is an "award-winning free and easy taxicab directory" spanning 2,500 cities in 31 countries across Europe, the U.S. and Canada. Users can easily order a taxi to pick them up through the app without having to actually speak to anyone.
4. DrunkMode
What it does and why it could help: For when you're having a fantastic night, this app will make sure that your possibly bad decisions won't follow you out into the real world and end on a sour note. You can prevent drunk dialing, retrace your steps, find your other drunk friends and locate a safe ride home with just the tap of a button. That shouldn't be too difficult when you're a bit tipsy, right? On second thought, you might want to hand the phone to someone sober.
5. Kitestring
Available
What it does and why it could help: Kitestring is not necessarily an app that is to be launched. In fact, it is tool that you can text. If you're going out somewhere, give an estimate as to how long you'll be out and text it to Kitestring. Kitestring will then be sure to check up on you after the time given has passed, and if you do not respond, it will send an alert to your emergency contacts (including 911, if you so choose) to actually check up on you.
BONUS: Siri
Available
What it does and why it could help: Everyone knows what Siri can do, but if you're in a bit of a jam, you can't exactly tell Siri to "Call 911" without a possible predator knowing that you've done so, right? Recently a loophole has been found into calling emergency services. It's been used as a prank, but can also be used to save your life or someone else's. If you ask Siri to "charge my phone to 100 percent," emergency services will be dialed. If you even just say "Phone 100" or "Phone 110," emergency services will be dialed.
Why does Siri do this? It's long been speculated that maybe Apple designed this specifically to help people in a tight spot, but the more logical explanation could be that Siri will call for help in any way that you know it. Siri responds to people from all around the world, so in India, 1-0-0 is the emergency number, while in China it is 1-1-0. However, you know emergency services to be called, Siri will identify it and contact. In any case, it is still a helpful tool and "codeword," if you will, to get help.
