An Ounce of Prevention
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and this is never truer than when it comes to your health. But beyond washing your hands, here are some things that we recommend students and parents do to prepare should a health and safety emergency arise while the student is away at college.
For Parents and Students to do:
Enter the Campus Safety number into your speed dial on your phone
Discuss signing a HIPPA Release Form/Health Care proxy so parents can be contacted and conferred with when medical issues arise. Ask your doctor or lawyer for one. For students going to college with health issues, read this.
For Students to do:
ICE stands for “In Case of Emergency” and it’s a number emergency responders know to look for in a phone. Enter your parents’ names and cell phone numbers under ICE.
Keep your healthcare card handy and know your primary care physician’s phone number and email address.
Find out where the nearest 24 hour pharmacy and Urgent Care office is.
Let your friends and roommates know where you’re going, who you’re going with, and when you plan to be back when you are leaving campus for an extended period.
Get the phone numbers of your best friends’ and roommates’ parents. If there is an emergency, they’ll be grateful that you were able to contact them quickly. Of course, in any emergency, contact Campus Safety first.
For Parents to do:
Get the phone numbers of your child’s roommates and best friends. If you aren’t able to reach your son or daughter in an emergency, these people will be able to help you track them down.