Safety Tips

When Walking or Jogging Alone

• Stay alert and be mindful of your surroundings. Avoid using headphones.
• Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, leave.
• Know the area you are in and where you can go if you need help.
• Vary your route and schedule.
• Tell a friend where you are going and when you will return.
• Avoid walking or jogging at night.
• If you do go out at night, use the buddy system and make sure to wear reflective clothing.

Safety in Your Personal Residence

• Never allow strangers to follow you into your building or invite them into your home.
• Never give the impression you are home alone.
• Always check the identification of any sales or service people before letting them in.
• If you come home and find a door open or signs of forced entry, call 911 immediately.
• Don’t leave spare keys in mailboxes, under doormats, etc. Leave a spare key with a trusted friend or family member instead.
• Never prop open doors or leave doors open.
• Secure all doors and windows prior to leaving your residence.

Safety While on Campus

• Be alert and aware of your surroundings.
• Never leave your belongings unattended, and keep valuables at home.
• Always lock your doors.
• Stay in well-lit areas.
• Notify Campus Security and EH&S immediately of any suspicious or criminal activity.

Property Security

• Never leave textbooks, purses, or book bags unattended.
• Secure cash, checkbooks, and credit cards in a safe place.
• Carry only small amounts of cash.
• Record the serial numbers of expensive equipment, such as laptops, phones, and cameras. Keep that information in a safe place in the event the item is stolen.
• Call local authorities or 911 to report lost or stolen property. If on campus, contact the Director of Security and Environmental Health & Safety.

Bicycle Security

• Invest in a good lock, such as a U-shaped hardened steel padlock.
• Lock the bike frame and wheels to a bike rack (not trees, posts, etc.).
• Use a helmet and obey all traffic laws.

Vehicle Safety

• Do not use your cell phone while driving.
• Ensure you adhere to the posted speed limit.
• Close all windows, lock all doors, and take your keys with you.
• Never leave your car’s engine running, even if you will only be gone for a minute.
• Activate any anti-theft devices.
• Always have your keys ready when approaching your vehicle.
• Do not leave valuables in plain view. Lock them in your trunk.
• Park in well-lit areas.
• Obey all traffic laws.

Mail Safety

A suspicious package may be in the form of a letter, envelope, box, briefcase, suitcase, backpack, duffel bag, pipe, etc., and can be identified by any of the following characteristics:

• Excessive postage.
• No return address.
• Excessive amounts of tape or string.
• Package is leaking or has stains.
• Noticeable protruding wires.
• Strange sounds emanating from the package.
• Strange odor.
• Package was left in a strange area.
• Poor handwriting.
• Misspelled words.
• Any characteristics pertaining to the package that would make a reasonable person concerned about its legitimacy.

What do I do with a suspicious piece of mail:

• Isolate the mail piece if possible.
• Do not open, shake or smell the item.
• Evacuate the immediate area.
• Have all people who handled the item wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• Call 911 or local authorities immediately. If on campus, notify the Director of Security and Environmental Health & Safety.

Online Safety

• Never post your personal information (address, phone number, etc.) on social media.
• Avoid posting to social media sites when you are on vacation. Criminals can use this information as an opportunity to burglarize your residence.
• Never click links that look suspicious. Links in emails, tweets, posts and online advertising are often ways for cybercriminals to compromise your computer.
• Secure your accounts with strong passwords. Avoid using the same password for every online account.