Safety Tips for Students

The Wheaton College Department of Public Safety is dedicated to creating a secure community through crime prevention, emergency response, and educational programs. As a student, you can assist in the prevention of crime by being aware of your surroundings and being prepared for unexpected situations. Public Safety encourages you to incorporate the following safety practices into your daily routine.

1. Stay alert. Do not allow your cell phone or headphones to distract you from your surroundings.
2. When walking to your vehicle or residence, have your keys ready in hand.
3. If you think you are being followed, cross the street, change direction, or go to a well-lit public place where others are present.
4. If a person confronts you and demands your money or possessions, give what is requested and keep a safe distance. No possession is as valuable as your life.
5. Trust your instincts. If a situation makes you feel uncomfortable, remove yourself as quickly as possible. Avoid people or places who you feel may present a threat to your safety.
6. Walk with purpose. Choose well-traveled, well-lit routes and use discretion when approaching unknown persons.
7. When running on the Illinois Prairie Path or other nearby trails, run with a friend and avoid using the trails at night.
8. Park your car in well-lit areas and don’t leave valuable items visible. Check your locks before leaving the car.
9. Lock the doors and windows of your residence hall or apartment at all times, even if you are only stepping out for a few minutes. Do not prop open your room/apartment doors or exterior building doors.
10. Never let anyone into your residence hall or apartment unless you know that they are a fellow student or are your personal guests.
11. Use a metal, U-shaped lock to secure your bike.
12. Public Safety responds to emergencies and requests for service 24 hours a day. Report any and all suspicious individuals, activities, or emergencies on campus by calling Public Safety at 630.752.5911. Save this number in your cell phone so that it is easily accessible. For an off-campus emergency, call 911 immediately.
13. If you need to report a crime in progress of any suspicious behavior, you may also utilize emergency phones that are placed throughout campus and are identifiable by the bright blue lights attached to them. These phones can be used to immediately contact Public Safety.
14. Maintain your emergency contact information so that you can be contacted directly in an emergency situation.