University News

Holiday Safety Tips

November 21, 2019

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MACOMB, IL -- As the holiday season fast approaches, the Western Illinois University Office of Public Safety (OPS) and the Macomb Police Department (MPD) want to remind members of the campus and local communities to safeguard personal property by locking offices, desks and residence hall room doors, as well as vehicles and homes off campus, and to travel safely during the busy holiday season.

Burglary Prevention Tips

* Make sure all of your doors and windows are locked when you leave for break.
* Place a piece of wood on the inside of windows so that the window cannot be pushed up from the outside to gain access. Even if you do have a lock, this is a further step to keep the window secure.
* If you have gaming systems, stereo systems, televisions, computers and other valuable items in your residence, take them home with you. If you can't take them home, leave them with a trusted friend.
* Put lights on a timer or leave a light or two on in your residence.
* Have someone trustworthy check on your residence.
* Have someone pick up your mail on a daily basis.
* If you do have to leave valuables in your residence, take pictures and record serial numbers if possible.
* Inscribe your driver's license number on your electronic valuables.

OPS and MPD will increase patrol activity near off-campus student housing during breaks.

Members of the campus community are encouraged to complete an electronic device registration form recording the make, model and serial numbers of their electronic devices. The form should be retained by the owner in the event their electronic devices are lost or stolen. The information will assist in completing a report and entering the property in a nationwide database. The registration form is available at http://bit.ly/DeviceRegister.

OPS Acting Director Derek Watts also encourages members of the WIU community to buckle up when traveling, especially during busy holiday travel days, such as the upcoming Thanksgiving break. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the most traveled holiday period of the year is Thanksgiving weekend, and DUI arrests are at their highest between Thanksgiving and the end of New Year's weekend. Thanksgiving Eve is referred to as "Black Wednesday," as it may be the busiest night of the year for nightclubs and bars.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing