Safety & Crime Prevention

• Study or work with a friend in buildings at night.
• Use stairs in well-lit and populated sections of a building.
• Keep personal belongings in view while in class, the library, or lab.
• When in an elevator, position yourself next to the controls.

• Lock your doors at all times.
• List only your first initial with your phone number in the phone book.
• List only your initials and last name on the mailbox.
• Open doors only for people you know.
• Install safeguards in every room.
• Keep shrubbery trimmed so as not to provide a cover for a burglar.
• Have a phone in each room so that help is always within reach.
• Turn lights on in several rooms when you're home alone.
• Get to know your neighbors.
• Keep spare keys with neighbors because burglars know hiding places, like under mats, in the mailbox, etc.
• Keep cash and jewelry in a locked drawer, cabinet or closet.
• Keep all doors, especially fire doors, closed at all times.
• Keep your blinds closed to avoid advertising your life.
• Leave an answering machine message that does not include your name or address.
• Make sure key chains do not have personal identification on them.

Protecting your apartment while away

• Make sure all doors and windows are locked.
• Tell only good friends you will be out of town.
• Make sure your answering machine message doesn't say you are out of town and/or when you will be back.
• Leave a radio set to a talk show station.
• Set interior lights on a timer.
• Have neighbors collect mail and stop newspaper delivery.

• Use indoor ATM machines whenever possible.
• Bring a friend when using the ATM, especially at night.
• Be alert and cautious of anyone loitering around the ATM/night deposit.
• Complete your transaction quickly and leave immediately.
• Protect the Personal Identification Number for your ATM by covering the screen while you enter the numbers.

• If you think you are being stalked, document the times and dates and contact the police.
• Stay near people or always walk with a friend

• Accept rides only from people you know.
• Take a friend with you for late night excursions.
• Walk on the part of the sidewalk closest to the street, as far away as possible from shrubs, trees, and doorways.
• Stay near people. Whenever possible, appear to be with a group of people.
• Stay in well lit areas.
• Avoid short cuts through unpopulated areas.
• Walk at a steady pace: appear confident and purposeful.
• Be alert! Listen for footsteps and voices nearby.
• Carry a personal safety device, such as a sound siren, mace, or red pepper gas.