Personal Safety Tips

Please read this section carefully and make these tips part of your everyday life.

In your work areas

• Lock your office door whenever you leave, even if you're just going out "for a minute."
• Take care of your keys. Don't leave them in your "cubby" or other hiding place.
• Do not prop doors open. If you find a door propped on campus, close it or report it to the Public Safety Office.
• Know where fire alarms and emergency exits are located. Observe the campus's fire prevention regulations.
• If you smell smoke or see a fire, pull the fire alarm and leave the building immediately.
• When a fire alarm sounds, leave the building immediately. Do not wait to see if it is a false/malfunctioning alarm.
• Notify the Department of Public Safety immediately of any emergency, criminal activity, suspicious conditions, or suspicious subjects.

Safety Around Campus Grounds

• Avoid taking shortcuts through isolated areas.
• Don't go for a "nature walk" through the woods alone.
• When walking, jogging, or running around the campus road after dark, wear reflective clothing and go in the opposite direction of traffic.
• Do not walk, jog, or run on campus alone after dark.
• Call Public Safety Office for an on-campus escort dusk to dawn.

Personal Property Security Tips

• Never leave your book bag, wallet, purse, or other valuables unattended.
• Even if you are going to be gone for "just a minute," take your belongings with you.
• Don't leave easily stolen items, such as your wallet, checkbook, or jewelry, in open view.
• Don't keep large sums of money in your office, classroom or bookbag.
• Engrave your driver's license number and State on all valuables (stereo, TV, typewriter, computer, etc.)

In Your Vehicle

• Have keys ready when approaching your vehicle. Check for intruders before, and lock the door immediately after, getting into your vehicle.
• Close all windows (in addition to locking all doors) when leaving your vehicle, whether it's for a few minutes or several hours
• Lock all valuables in the trunk.
• At night, park in well-lighted areas.
• Do not attach your name or license tag number to your key ring.
• Never pick up a hitchhiker or hitchhike yourself.
• Always keep your gas tank at least half full.
• If your vehicle breaks down in an isolated area, raise the hood, lock the doors and stay inside. If someone stops to help, ask him or her to call the police. Sound the horn if you feel threatened.
• If you see a suspicious vehicle or one driving recklessly on campus, notify the Department of Public Safety

Rules for Safe Dating

• When you feel uncomfortable in a situation, trust your instincts.
• When you mean "no," say "No." Don't allow room for misinterpretation by being ambiguous in your actions. Be firm. You should communicate your intentions and limits early.
• Don't immediately transfer your trust from an old friend to a new one, remember; trust must be earned.
• Control the environment. You should be the one to choose or agree to the dating activity and location.
• Be alert to diminished awareness caused by alcohol and drugs. When you lose control because of impaired judgment, you give the advantage to a would-be assailant.
• Don't allow others to violate your personal space.
• When going out, let someone know with whom you are going, where you are going, and if possible, the approximate time of your return.

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