Final exams have almost arrived and soon many of you will depart our campus for the winter break. The Department of Public Safety is reminding the University community to take the necessary steps to protect your residences and belongings before you leave.
For those of you who live on campus, please take the following steps to secure your space:
- Secure and lock all doors and windows.
- Close all curtains/blinds.
- Unplug all electrical items, except refrigerators.
- Do not give your keys out.
- Mark/engrave all items of value and keep a record including serial numbers.
- Do not leave credit cards, checkbooks, cash or other valuables readily accessible; these can be taken and used by a thief before you realize they are gone.
If you live off campus, please:
- Make your residence appear occupied; consider buying a timer that automatically turns on interior and exterior lights at a predetermined time, or when there is motion.
- Use dusk to dawn light bulbs and/or make sure your outdoor lighting is working and sufficient and contact your landlord if it is not.
- Lock sliding glass doors and place a wooden dowel or metal bar in the track of the door.
- Take anything valuable home with you, e.g. laptop computer, video game console, jewelry, etc.
- Do not leave any valuable items near windows. Take pictures of anything valuable and ensure that you have installed tracking software and documented the serial numbers of all electronic devices.
- Unplug all electrical items, except your refrigerator and timers.
- If you have a security alarm, make sure you turn it on when leaving.
- If you see anything suspicious, for on-campus, please call DPS at 315.443.2224 or use the Orange Safe app or for off-campus, call the Syracuse Police Department at 315.442.5111.
Even during the winter break, the Department of Public Safety is always working and available to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us at 315.443.2224 if you observe anything concerning. As always, our recommended safety strategies can be found on our website.
Wishing you all safe travels, a happy holiday season and a restful winter break.