Safety Tips

• Stay alert - do not talk on your cell phone or wear headphones.
• Carry a cell phone
• Go with someone
• Stay away from isolated areas
• Stay in well-lit areas
• Hold your purse or briefcase tightly, close to your body
• Keep your wallet in a front pocket, which is safer than a back pocket
• Do not hesitate to contact Campus Police to request an escort to walk you to your destination. You can request a safety escort by calling 814-269-7005.

• Cross the street or change directions
• Keep looking back so the person knows you can’t be surprised
• If carrying a cell phone, call 911 and get to a well-lit area
• Enter a building, anywhere there are people
• Notice and remember as much as possible about the person so you can give a good description
• When you arrive at a safe place, call the university police and report the incident

• Keep your doors locked night and day
• Don’t let in strangers
• Never prop doors open, especially fire doors, even for a short time

• Lock every door every time you leave
• Engrave expensive equipment and valuables with an ID number
• Don’t attach your Pitt ID or any other identification to your keychain
• Don’t leave your belongings (books, gym bags, backpacks, calculators, coats, etc.) unattended in libraries, hallways, gym facilities, or classrooms
• Don’t use an outdoor bank teller machine late at night.

• If you do work late, keep your office door locked
• Lock all doors behind you when entering or exiting at night

• Always lock your car and take the keys
• Lock valuables in the trunk
• Park in well-lit areas
• Have your keys ready when walking to your vehicle
• Check the back seat before getting into a car
• Keep doors locked while driving
• Don’t pick up hitchhikers
• Don’t hitchhike or accept rides from strangers.

• Attend safety workshops and report suspicious activity immediately
• Get to know your neighbors
• Share information on suspicious circumstances

Examples of suspicious behavior/circumstances include:

• People on campus who do not appear to be conducting legitimate business
• People monitoring areas, buildings, or entrances
• Unauthorized people in restricted, sensitive, or private areas
• People requesting information with no apparent need for that information
• People wearing clothing not consistent with the weather conditions or events (bulky coat in warm weather etc.)
• Abandoned or unusual parcels or other items, especially in high-traffic areas
• Individuals attempting to access utility locations (water, electrical, telecommunications, or information systems)

Vehicles

• Abandoned vehicles
• Vehicles parked near buildings or public and common areas
• Unexpected/unfamiliar delivery trucks
• Vehicles containing unusual/suspicious parcels or material
• Vehicles arriving and being left behind at odd hours
• Substances leaking or spilling from vehicles

Buildings and offices

• Entrance doors or windows in buildings or residence halls should not be propped open
• Don't leave keys unattended or give them to unauthorized persons
• Secure all sensitive material and information when not able to attend to it
• Secure sensitive deliveries in a timely manner
• Secure all areas when not attended
• Be aware of unfamiliar persons in or visitors to your office
• Protect access codes and combinations, and change codes regularly
• Take time to familiarize yourself with building evacuation plans

• Homeland Security 
• PA Homeland Security
• CDC Public Health Emergency Response
• American Red Cross Preparedness Guide