Home Page

What’s up Zags? Officer Tyler, our Crime Prevention and Education Officer with Campus Security and Public Safety, put together some of these winter safety tips. As we approach the holiday break, he wanted to share some safety tips to keep your residence and property safe while you’re away.

Watch Officer Tyler's YouTube Short HERE!

For our residence halls:

• Lock your doors and use the deadbolt, if applicable.
• Close and lock your windows, including 2nd-floor windows and balconies.
• Use a safety bar for added security
• Leave an exterior light on, including on patios and balconies
• Don’t announce your departure on social media, other are watching
• Park your vehicle in a secure location offered by Campus Security. Call (509) 313-6147 to register and obtain locations
• Remember to lock your vehicle doors and remove any important documents
• Secure your bike in either your room or the bike cages provided

For some off-campus tips:

• Close and lock doors and windows
• Set lights onto a timer for both the interior and exterior of the house.
• Have a trusted friend who is staying in town stop by randomly to open or close blinds, and turn the TV or radio on or off.
• Speak with a trustworthy neighbor to let them know the dates you will be gone so they can keep an eye on your house for you.
• Contact Spokane Police to be put on the vacation home check at 509-622-5885.
• Record serial numbers for all applicable valuables in the house and take video or pictures of valuables that cannot be searched by serial number.
• If you are leaving a vehicle behind ensure it is locked, all valuables have been removed, and items such as backpacks/bags, laptops, and wallets have been removed from the vehicle. Park it in a well-lit area
• Do not hide a spare key on your property.
• Contact USPS to have your mail delivery placed on hold.

To keep your off-campus residence fire safe:

• Before leaving your residence for an extended period, do a quick sweep of the place to ensure everything is safe and secure:
• Extinguish all candles, and incense and turn off wax melt warmers
• Unplug any unnecessary appliances or technology (computer, TV, microwave, rice cooker, essential oil diffuser, etc)
• If you have baseboard heating, ensure all furniture and other flammable objects are a safe distance away.
• Turn off and unplug all space heaters. They are a huge fire risk.
• It’s also a good time to check the smoke alarms in your residence. Make sure they are all working, and replace batteries as needed.

These tips can help keep your residence and property safe. Go Zags!