Personal Safety Strategies

Tips to Remember

1. Use available prevention mechanisms such as lighted walkways, locks, security doors, public transportation, and friends.
2. Avoid being out alone at night. Go with a friend, use the bus or a taxi, or call the IU Bloomington Safety Escort Service at 855-SAFE.
http://php.indiana.edu/~iusase/

3. If bicycling at night, use a light and wear light-colored clothing.
4. Be aware of your surroundings. Avoid dark or hazardous areas. Use the lighted pedestrian routes:
http://www.iub.edu/~iubmap/IUBcampusmap.pdf

5. Know the locations of the 24 outdoor emergency phones on campus:
http://www.iub.edu/~prepare/Emergency_Phones2000.pdf

6. Let someone know where you are and when you will be leaving or arriving at a location.
7. Use campus buildings during high-use times.
8. Be alert. Walk confidently and pay attention to who is around you. Avoid using headphones.
9. Report suspicious incidents and persons to the police immediately. Be as accurate and complete as possible in your descriptions.
10. Lock your doors your home or apartment doors, your residence hall door, and your car doors. Don't open your door until you know who is there.
11. Don't let someone you don't know into your room, your home, or your car.
12. Learn to communicate and listen effectively. People may interpret the same information differently. Question if you are not sure.
13. Remember that alcohol and drugs make it difficult to think clearly and communicate adequately.
14. If you witness or are the victim of a violent crime, seek help. Advocacy, medical care, and legal assistance are available. Call the IU Police Department at 9-911, or 855-4111, or off campus call the Bloomington Police Department at 911.