Before the night out
- Plan the journey home. Check the last bus or train, a licensed taxi backup and the pickup point.
- Charge your phone. Save your university security number, trusted contacts and the venue address.
- Set a budget. Ring-fence the transport cost so it cannot become another round.
- Choose your limits. Decide your drink limit and leave time before pre-drinks begin.
- Share the plan. Tell a flatmate, friend or family member where you are going and when you expect to be back.
At pre-drinks, the pub or club
- Eat before drinking and have water during the night.
- Stay with people you know and agree not to leave someone behind without a plan.
- Do not leave any drink unattended, including soft drinks.
- Do not accept a drink you did not see being prepared.
- Keep your phone, keys and bank card secure.
- If you feel uncomfortable, tell a friend, venue staff or security. Many UK venues use schemes such as Ask for Angela.
If someone may have been spiked
Take it seriously. Tell venue staff or security immediately, stay with the person, get medical help and report it to police. Do not let them go home alone. Spiking is a crime; the GOV.UK spiking factsheet explains signs, reporting and support.
Getting back to halls or home
Leave with enough time for the transport you planned. Verify any taxi against the booking details. Wait in a bright, busy or staffed place. Avoid walking alone and avoid isolated shortcuts. If plans split, confirm how each person is getting back rather than assuming.
Police Scotland advises planning how you will get home, keeping your phone charged, staying with people you know and using a trusted taxi company or pickup. Read the full safe nights out guidance.
Set the student night out plan in HeelClick
Add the venue, target leave time, hard stop, budget, drink limit and journey preference before going out. During the night, check-ins can help you notice a change early. Safety Mode gives quick access to directions, a trusted contact and Maps sharing actions.
HeelClick is a planning and accountability tool. It is not monitored and does not replace university security, venue staff, police, medical help or emergency services.
Download HeelClick free ↗Know your university’s own support
Universities often have campus security numbers, safe-zone apps, night buses, welfare teams or staffed walking routes. Save those details before Freshers’ Week or the next social. HeelClick can hold your personal night plan, but your local university service may be the right tool for a campus incident.
When to call 999
Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger, seriously unwell, unconscious, having difficulty breathing or if a serious crime is happening. Put safety before the group’s plans, embarrassment or the cost of the night.