Protect your home, dorm, apartment, and valuables through smart security habits and theft prevention strategies.

Safety at Home
  • Locks
    Keep doors and windows locked at all times. Doors should have a one-inch dead bolt and a door viewer. Look before opening your door to anyone.
  • Outside Lights
    Leave outside lights on when it is dark outside. Never come home to a dark house.
  • Awareness of Surroundings
    Before leaving your house, take a minute to look outside and see what is going on. Take time to be aware of your surroundings.
  • Strangers
    • Don't let a stranger inside your house to use the phone. Make the call for him.
    • If you haven't called for a repairman, don't let one inside your house. Leave him outside and call his place of business to verify his reason for being in your area.
  • Alone
    • Never admit to anyone that you or a neighbor live alone.
    • Women living alone should use only initials on mailboxes and in phone book listings.
  • Suspicions
    Report suspicious activities to the police immediately.
  • Obscene Calls
    If you receive an obscene phone call, hang up immediately. Don't react.
  • Phone Messages
    Be careful of the message you leave on your answering machine or voicemail. Never tell people you are not at home.
  • ID, CC
    Do not leave your identification, keys, wallets, checkbooks, or other valuables in open view.
  • Community
    Get to know your RA, residence life staff and neighbors.
Safety in Residence Halls
  • Strangers
    Do not allow strangers to enter your room or your complex. Do not open your door unless you can identify the person seeking entry.
  • Tailgating
    Do not let unknown individuals “tailgate;” ask who they are visiting and offer to call Public Safety.
  • Propping
    Do not prop any exterior doors open to allow unescorted visitors into the residence hall (pizza delivery, friends, etc.).
  • Keys, Locks, Doors
    • Always lock your door; even when you’re sleeping or just going down the hall. Always lock your doors and windows at night, especially if you reside on the first or second floors.
    • Report any malfunctioning locks, doors or windows to your residence life staff.
    • Report lost or stolen residence hall keys immediately to your residence hall staff.
    • Do not leave your keys lying around in your room when you are not in the room.
  • Leaving/Away
    Do not leave messages on your door about when you will be returning to your room.
    Tell a roommate or friend if you are planning to be away overnight or for a few days.
  • Suspicions
    Report any suspicious persons or activities (including solicitors) in or near your residence hall to your residence hall staff, Public Safety or Police.
  • Valuables
    Secure your valuables and engrave expensive items with identifying information.
Home Security
  • All windows should be secured with anti-slide devices.
  • Secure sliding glass doors with a lock or bar, or place a piece of wood or broom handle in the track.
  • Never leave a house key hidden outside your home.
  • Move valuables so they cannot be seen from porch windows.
  • Consider a bank safety deposit box or fire-proof safe for valuable documents and items.
  • Fasten air conditioners units securely to the windowsill or window frame so they can’t be removed from the outside.
  • Mid and high-rise residents should release the front door only to visitors who positively identify themselves.
  • Arrange for an unlisted telephone number.
  • If you live off campus, do not put your name on the outside of your residence mailbox and do not leave notes on outside doors.
Burglary and Theft
  • A burglary is the act of entering a home or apartment, or building, not open to the public, with the intent to commit a crime.
  • A theft has been committed if someone unlawfully obtains property with the intent to deprive the rightful owner of it.
  • Apartment Dwellers Be Alert
  • Have you taken the proper action to prevent the possibility of becoming a victim?
  • Keep doors and windows locked at all times
  • If you move into a previously occupied apartment, make sure locks have been changed
  • Use a door peephole. Always acknowledge a caller at your door, but do not open it.
  • Some burglars ring the doorbell, and if there is no answer, they break in.
  • Use latching devices on all windows. In many cases entry is made through a window.
  • Window latches that secure both the inside and outside can provide another effective means of thwarting the would-be burglar.
  • Use secondary locks on sliding glass doors. Usually, a sliding door is secluded from the public view, making it a perfect place for thieves to enter. Keeping burglars occupied for several minutes trying to get a door or window open, will frustrate them and they will move on.
  • When away for an extended period of time, cancel mail and suspend newspaper delivery
  • Have a trusted neighbor watch your apartment while you are away. The watchful eyes of your neighbor are some of the best crime prevention tools available.
Theft Protection
  • When leaving your dorm room, home, or office, lock doors and windows even if you will be gone for "just a minute."
  • Never leave your purse, wallet, or valuables exposed; store them out of sight. Be especially careful with your credit cards, which are very popular items among thieves because they are usually easy to steal and then use again.
  • Consider obtaining a credit card with your photo imprinted on it.
  • Computers, especially if they are portable, are primary targets of theft. Consider the purchase of a locking security or tracking device.
  • Contact Public Safety to borrow engravers; engrave computers, stereos, and televisions with your driver's license number (including home state) or department name. Do not engrave on removable serial number plates.
  • Keep a list of all items and serial numbers in a safe place.
  • Never prop open a locked door.
Holiday Security
  • If you leave campus during school holidays store your bicycle with Student Housing.
  • If you leave your car on campus find out where you are supposed to park it and remove all valuables from it.
  • Place valuables that you cannot take with you out of sight in your room/apartment/home and unplug all appliances before you leave.
  • Park your car in a well-lit location and leave your keys and contact information with a trusted friend.
  • If you stay on campus during holidays or the summer be alert to any suspicious persons around the residence halls, bike racks, or parking lots.
  • Call Public Safety or the Police immediately to report any unusual activity.
Everyday Living
  • Take a self-defense course. If female, see if a Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) course is offered.
  • Keep emergency numbers near your phone. Better yet; remember them!
  • Lock all doors and windows every time you leave your room/apartment/home, even if you plan to be gone for just a minute.
  • Keep house and car keys on separate rings.
  • Do not lend your keys to service/maintenance people you do not know well.
  • Always ask service/maintenance people to identify themselves before allowing them to enter your room/apartment/home.
  • Get to know your neighbors so you can help each other.
  • Do not keep large sums of money, jewelry, or valuable items in plain view in your room/apartment/home.
  • When out of town, set radios, lights, and televisions on timers.
  • If you are living off campus, leave spare keys with trusted neighbors, not under a doormat or in a flower planter.
  • Try to avoid entering elevators occupied by strangers. If you are waiting for an elevator with a stranger, stand away from the door to avoid being pushed inside.
  • Get off on the next floor if you feel uneasy. Hit the alarm button if you are accosted on an elevator.
  • Please report any broken or malfunctioning locks to the facilities department.