10 Best iPhone Apps for Staying Safe on Campus

No matter how many emergency services, alert systems, clinics, and precautions colleges and universities provide their students, faculty, and staff, criminal and medical crises still worm their way onto campus. The particularly tech-savvy who can’t go anywhere without their iPhones in tow enjoy some extra mobile safety perks that, while they obviously can’t prevent problems, certainly render them comparatively easier to survive. Downloading the following applications might very well mean the difference between poking around safely and ending up feeding the begonias in some not-so-sweet little old lady’s backyard.

1. WebMD, by WebMD

   Now, students can assume migraines are brain tumors on the go! Except that isn’t why WebMD’s official iPhone app is an essential download for safety’s sake. The detailed First Aid instructions available make it easy for students to perform some of the most basic medical tasks themselves without having to hit the clinic. But be sure to check out the rest of its comprehensive health and wellness offerings, too.

2. StreetSafe, by PeopleGuard

   Although the app is free, StreetSafe requires a subscription fee for its potentially life-saving services, definitely a worthwhile investment for students up late in the library. It connects users to live Security Advisors who stay on the phone and offer protection tips and will call 911 if they hear something suspicious. Since they require GPS, emergency workers know exactly where to go (a silent alarm is also available).

3. Hollaback!, by Hollaback!

   Useful for students living in major cities, though available to iPhone enthusiasts worldwide, Hollaback! crowdsources its Google maps pins chronicling acts of street harassment, sexual harassment and assault, rape, and other examples of discriminatory violence. As more stories get reported, users gain a clearer picture of what neighborhoods (and people) to avoid.

4. Neighborhood Watch Official Mobile App, by Community Safety Institute

   Another very valuable safety application, which allows users to submit (anonymously or not) information about local crimes and keeps the citizenry alert regarding what’s going on and what needs fixing. In addition, it also links up with law enforcement databases for a broad look at local safety.

5. EveryBlock, by EveryBlock

   Only available to students in 15 major cities, this app pulls from EMS, fire, and police reports and lists them by zip code so users can see what’s going on around them in (almost) real time. Do keep in mind that EveryBlock requires a free account to get the most reliable possible services.

6. YWCA Safety Siren, by YWCA Canada

   Set up pre-determined emergency contacts accessible with one tap, blare an emergency siren with several settings, see a map of surrounding YWCA and other help and rescue facilities, and more with one of Canada’s most valuable safety apps. In addition, it overflows with some seriously cool advice on women’s health, wellness, and protection for perusal when snuggled in at home.

7. Flashlight + Safety Light, by Craig Hockenberry

   Craig Hockenberry receives a fair amount of accolades for providing iPhone users with an exceptionally bright digital flashlight great for blackouts and nighttime walking. The app also provides an SOS signal, lockable screen, and other features ensuring the most effective assistance possible.

8. Campus Safety, by Dean Manship

   Through detailed videos, write-ups, and other resources, a Certified Emergency Manager educates parents, students, faculty, and staff about the most common dangers faced on school grounds — from kindergarten to college. With more than 22 different natural and man-made disasters to peruse, downloading Campus Safety serves as an excellent investment (99¢!) in almost Batmanian levels of preparedness.

9. Campus Sentinel, by Campus Sentinel

   Users who plug in to Campus Sentinel literally access up-to-date crime statistics from their school with only a few taps. Its data comes directly from the U.S. Department of Education and covers both reported and self-reported issues, though the app warns that its information is not the only measure of campus safety.

10. SaferBus, by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

    Perfect for college commuters who use public and commercial transportation, this offering by the U.S. Department of Transportation keeps users informed about what local systems are up to code — and which ones they need to regard with that sideways expression people make when they get all suspicious. Consider SaferBus when scheduling school trips as well.

Taken From Best Colleges Online