Living away from home has its advantages: no rules, no parents and lots of freedom.

But with the possible declaration of war and a terrorism-alert code increased to “high,” some UW students are feeling apprehensive about being away from home and what to do to protect themselves from a possible attack.

Freshman Bryna Shmerling is from Tennessee. She worries her hometown, 10 hours away, is too far to reach if some kind of disaster occurs.

“I can’t change that distance,” Shmerling said. “It makes me nervous that I might not be able to communicate or be with my family in time of crisis.”

Friday the Department of Homeland Security raised the official terror alert from yellow to orange, meaning “high,” because of warnings of an attack on the East Coast. Officials based that alarm on an account they later learned had been fabricated, ABC News reported Wednesday night.

As U.S. government officials continue to release warnings and urge citizens to take precautions like storing food or obtaining plastic sheets and duct tape to seal windows in case of chemical or biological attack, many Americans feel insecure. Officials say students in Madison are no different.

“Students are citizens just like everybody else,” UW Police Sgt. Edie Brogan said. “It is important for students to acquire prevention items. Especially living away from home, students who are not in proximity with their family should have a meeting place in case of a communication failure.”

But asked what police are doing to ensure student safety in the case of a chemical or biological attack, Brogan is tight-lipped.

“For security reasons, the specific tactics are confidential. We are aware, we are working on it, and we have a plan,” Brogan said.

In the event of an attack, it is unclear when students will learn what actions to take to protect themselves.

University officials say they have also arranged a contingency in case of terror activities in Madison. Associate Dean of Students Don Schutt said there is “an extensive communication plan for informing members of the university community in a timely and accurate manner” which “has also been a significant component in the scenario planning.”

Like Brogan, Schutt would not disclose specific tactics.

Students and professors have mixed feelings about the recommended preparation circulating through the news. Some agree that preparation is indispensable, but others remain weary.

Ben Krautkramer, vice chair of UW College Republicans, said the warning system is a good way of keeping citizens alert, but he said he thinks the media may be over-reporting the warnings.

“In general, I think it’s good, but as cable news networks continually report on it, it seems the media could be taking it too far,” Krautkramer said. “Although the government is doing these things to protect Americans, the more attention warnings get in the news, the more it could look as though the government is crying wolf.”

UW political science professor Kenneth Mayer is more confident the warnings are appropriate.

“Panic is not reasonable, but neither is complacency,” he said. “My guess is, if there is some sort of terrorist attack, we won’t be at the center of it.”

Both Krautkramer and Mayer spoke before ABC reported the false threat.

Experts speculate Madison is at low risk for an attack, but police still urge students to be alert and aware of suspicious actions.

“Students need to realize they are the eyes and ears of campus. They need to be alert and practice good community policing, even more so in this situation,” Brogan said.

Most importantly, Brogan said, students need to be aware of what is happening. He said watching the news or listening to the radio regularly will keep them informed of safety tips, threats, and attacks, as well as decreases in the level of alarm.