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, cameras, etc. and keep that information in a safe place in the event the item is stolen.
- Call 911 and (if on campus) Campus Security and EH&S immediately to report lost or stolen property.
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:
Characteristics of Suspicious Mail:
- 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.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. This also applies to everyone that has handled the mail piece.
- Call 911 and (if on campus) notify Campus Security and EH&S
Online Safety:
- Never post your personal information (address, phone number, etc.) on social media.
- Avoid posting when you are on vacation to social media sites. 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.