Safety Handbook

Safety Handbook

Introduction

A primary objective of experiential learning programs such as those offered by AFS is to help participants learn through observation, question, dialogue, discussion and experience. From experience, AFS staff and volunteers understand that the opportunity to learn is great, but it is not necessarily easy. Participants encounter complex situations along the way and there is the potential for confusion, fear and misunderstanding. If students are left to their own devices, the consequences could be very distressing.

For these reasons, with the help of host families, the local community, AFS contacts and school personnel, AFS has devised a system of program support for all participants, providing a wide range of supportive activities and services. The purpose is to provide a safety net, a consistently supportive environment in which participants can ask questions, obtain advice and help.

AFS cannot supply all the possible answers but through our support systems, we can help to guide participants towards asking appropriate questions. It is not possible to anticipate all possible situations pertaining to individual safety concerns. Many of these issues are specific to individual countries or parts of a single country.

In general, AFS recommends talking with the host family, AFS local committee members and staff from the host school soon after the student joins the host family home about any of the information in this guidebook and any question students may have about specific personal issues. AFS suggests that students ask their host family about any issue they are concerned or worried about, as the information about the host country prevalent in movies and in media publications may not be accurate for the entire country or the specific area in which the family lives. Within this context, what follows are some topics and general suggestions.

At Home Safety Issues

Your host family will probably not know what you are concerned or worried about. So do not hesitate to ask them questions about safety, e.g. Can I go out at night alone? Are there areas I should avoid? Although there are common safety issues in Switzerland, they may still vary from region to region. So ask your host family about their particular situation.

General Safety Questions

• What should I do if an emergency occurs? Whom should I call?
• Where do you keep the emergency telephone numbers?
• Do you have first aid equipment? Where is it?
• Do you have a fire extinguisher? Where is it?
• How do you secure the house?
• Do you lock your doors and windows? When do you do that?
• Am I going to have a house key?
• What do you advise me about answering the door when I am alone?
• How do I react when a stranger calls at the door?

Answering the Telephone

If you feel uncertain about answering phone calls especially because you have to answer in a foreign language, ask your family: How do I have to respond when answering the phone? What information should I give? What information should I not give?

Outside the Home

Transportation

There is a great variety of transportation ranging from the train to your own bicycle. Public transportation is very common and usually safe. Switzerland is, in fact, a very safe country. In the following section, we will indicate some suggestions to you when using any kind of transportation.

Public Transport (Bus, Boat, Tram and Train)

It is very common to use public transport in Switzerland. Public transport in Switzerland is very reliable and safe.

However, be careful at night. Try to look for compartments with other people in it rather than being alone in a train carriage. It is also advisable to avoid being alone in train stations at night. Ask your host parents about the situation in your region, as they will know best.

Make sure that you always have a valid ticket. If you do not and get caught, you will get a fine of 90 Swiss Francs (approx. USD 110)! Ticket inspectors are usually pitiless even if you start crying and tell them a moving story of a lost exchange student who does not yet know how the ticket machine works.

As there are so many trains and buses in Switzerland, most host students are a bit overwhelmed at the beginning. Every year, some of them get lost at some point because Appendix 54 they take the wrong train. For this reason, make sure you have your host family's phone number with you when you start taking trains on your own. Do not be embarrassed to call them when you are lost. They will be able to guide you home safely.

Walking

Walking to and from places is usually safe. However, there are areas where you should be careful at night. Ask your host family about these specific areas, as they know best which places are safe and which are not. We encourage you to let your host parents know whenever you are concerned or frightened. When going out, inform your host family where you are going and how you can be reached, and how and when you intend to get back home.

When walking alone late at night, try to walk in streets that are well lit and that have a lot of people. In general, you should take your host parents' advice seriously and follow their recommendations.

Riding Your Bicycle

In Switzerland, you will see many people riding their bikes going to school, to work or just for fun. You will very likely have the possibility to borrow a bike from someone. Before you ride it in the streets, ask your host family about traffic regulations in Switzerland. They may be different than in your home country.

If you are not used to riding a bicycle, traffic can be challenging, especially in cities. We suggest that you ask a host family member to accompany you on your first attempts to conquer the Swiss streets with your bicycle. Make sure that your bike has good brakes and a functioning light. This is very important especially in winter because it gets dark very early. If you ride in the dark without a light, this is not only dangerous, but you can also be fined.

AFS Switzerland recommends wearing a helmet when you ride your bike.

Car

AFS participants are not allowed to drive cars. Do not get into a car with strangers. Hitchhiking is strictly forbidden. Participants either driving or hitchhiking will be dismissed from the program and must return home immediately.

The blood alcohol content (BAC) level in Switzerland for drivers is 0.5‰, which equals roughly one glass of beer or wine. Do not get into a car if you feel the driver has drunk more than the amount allowed by the law.

Please note that in Switzerland it is compulsory to wear seatbelts for all passangers in a car. You should therefore always fasten your seatbelt automatically when entering a car - even if you will not be driving long.

Public Places

Going to public places and walking around outside is usually very safe. As stated before, you should try to avoid being alone at night in train stations. There are also some other areas you should avoid (e.g. certain areas in Zurich). In general, you are safe if you do what the locals do. Therefore, take your host parents' advice seriously and follow their recommendations.

Weather

Skiing, hiking, climbing etc. in the mountains is very popular and it is certainly an interesting experience. However, the weather in the mountains is a factor you have to take seriously. It can change surprisingly fast: in a very short time a blue sky can be replaced by fog, snow or rain depending on the season. So remember, the weather in the mountains is quite unpredictable and it is therefore dangerous to risk anything and get lost.

When in the mountains, try not to be alone, but rather with your host family or with local people. They know best where and when you have to be careful. Always have your cell phone with you.

Theft

Because Switzerland is generally very safe, this might give you a false sense of security. But theft happens here as it does everywhere in the world, so it is wise to be careful: