• Be aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions, especially when walking alone. Try to avoid isolated or dark areas. Walk in groups whenever you can—there is safety in numbers.
• Familiarize yourself with campus to know the quickest way to get help. One way to do that is by reviewing the interactive campus map.
• Emergency blue light phones give you direct access to UAPD. Use these telephones to contact the police department for emergency assistance. A police officer will respond to all blue light phone calls whether the caller was able to say anything or not.
• Let a family member or friend know when you’re going somewhere and your estimated time of arrival or return. This allows them to notify police as quickly as possible if there is a problem.
• Take extra precaution at night by walking with a friend or group of friends. Use the LiveSafe App, ASUA SafeRide or PTS Night Cat, or take advantage of campus safety escorts. When available, UAPD may provide a walking or driving escort to your on-campus location or vehicle if you call them at 520-621-8273.

Communication and Transportation Resources

• Lock your room door. Do not prop open exterior doors or interior fire doors.
• No tailgating—don’t hold the door to let others in the building if you’re unsure if they live in the community.
• Don't loan your keys or student identification card to others.
• Only invite people you know to your on-campus home. Do not let strangers into the building as your guests. Always escort your guests in and out of the building through the main entrance.
• Guests must be checked in through the proper procedures. This is for the guests’ protection as well as the protection of the other dorm residents. Check the guest policy information on the Housing and Residential Life website.
• Report solicitors or suspicious persons by calling 911 and notifying a dorm staff member immediately.
• No motorcycles, firearms, fireworks or pets are allowed in dorms.

Get to know your neighbors and look out for one another. If you see or hear something harmful, tell a dorm staff member and call UAPD at 520-621-8273 (621-UAPD). For emergencies, call 911.

Housing and Residential Life Safety

• Lock doors and windows.
• Keep your valuables out of sight. Lock up wallets, purses, jewelry, and other valuables.
• Never leave your backpack, purse, or belongings unattended in public places.
• Record the serial numbers for laptops, cameras, and other devices as this can aid in recovering stolen property. Items of value that do not have a serial number should be engraved with your driver’s license number and photographed.
• Insurance in dorms covers the institution’s property only. Residents are encouraged to provide their own insurance against loss of, or damage to personal possessions. If your family has homeowner’s insurance, check with your family agent about coverage. There are a variety of renter’s policies available from insurance carriers for apartment dwellers.

• Do not leave valuable items unattended in your car. If you need to leave belongings in the car, put them in the locked trunk so they are out of sight.
• Lock the doors and take the keys with you. Make sure that the vehicle and the windows are closed. Utilizing a steering wheel lock is encouraged.
• Do not leave money or visible items in your vehicle.

• Park in well-lit, populated areas and be aware of your surroundings.
• Always lock your vehicle.
• Carry small loads at a time, keeping arms free for movement or ask friends for help unloading your car.
• Have your keys ready to use.
• As soon as you are safely in your vehicle, lock the door.

• All bicycles on campus must be registered. Learn how to register your bicycle.
• Be sure to lock your bicycle to a bike rack using a steel U-lock through the frame and at least one wheel. U-locks may be available for purchase from the University of Arizona Campus Store.
• Engrave your bicycle or moped with your name or driver’s license number and keep a record of it with a description of the bike and serial number.
• Consider utilizing a tracking device for your bicycle, electric bicycle or scooter.
• > Bicyclists are required by law to ride on the right side of roadways or on bike paths.
• If you ride your bicycle at night, be sure to utilize a white headlight and rear red reflector or light.
• Be aware of the 'Walk Your Bike Zone' signs. These zones are in heavy pedestrian foot traffic areas. Areas include the UA Mall and the Women's Plaza near Centennial Hall.

Bicycle Services

• Wait for your ride in a safe place. If possible, remain inside the business or residence you are visiting until your ride service is near. 
• Make sure you are getting into the correct vehicle by matching the license plate, car make and model, and the driver to information provided by the ride-sharing app.
• Don’t identify yourself. Ask the driver to confirm your name before you get in the car.
• Sit in the back seat, especially if you’re riding alone.
• Wear your seat belt.
• Share your trip details with a family member or friend. This allows them to notify police as quickly as possible if there is a problem.
• Do not share personal information with the driver.
• If you feel unsafe, end the ride at any time. Trust your gut if anything feels off.

• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Wear a hat or use an umbrella.
• Apply sunscreen to exposed skin.
• Plan outdoor activities for the coolest times of the day.
• Limit and reduce duration of outdoor activity. 
• Always carry water with you and drink even if you do not feel thirsty. 
• Never leave children, adults, or pets inside a parked vehicle. A parked vehicle can reach dangerous temperatures in just minutes. Leaving the windows down or parking in the shade can still result in deadly heat conditions inside a vehicle. 

Heat Safety Tips

• Check the weather forecast before you head out.
• Be aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions. Try to avoid isolated or dark areas. Hike in groups whenever you can—there is safety in numbers.
• Pay attention to the trail and where you step.
• Do not venture off designated trails.
• Use GPS or physical maps to help you know where you’re going and how to leave.

• Use complex passwords that are changed frequently.
• Do not open emails or links from untrusted senders.
• Do not leave devices unattended.
• Only shop online from known companies.
• If you think your laptop has been infected with malware, contact police and manufacturer - you may be at risk for identity theft.
• Find information on phishing alerts, ransomware an more on the U of A Information Security website.
• Cyber crime can be reported to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

Information Security

If you believe you or someone you know is the victim of a sextortion scheme:

• Contact UAPD at 520-621-8273.
• Contact the Tucson FBI field office at 520-623-4306.
• Do not delete anything before law enforcement is able to review it.

Find information about sextortion on the FBI website.

Scams can lead to identity theft, regular theft, access to your accounts and personal information, and compromised computers. Learn how to spot scams (on the FBI website).

The Wildcat Safety Guide is your go-to resource for safety and wellness information tailored for U of A students, faculty, staff, and visitors. This 21-page document provides essential guidance on handling emergencies such as fires, utility outages, and more. It also includes critical emergency and non-emergency contact numbers, safety and wellness resources, and training information.

The Campus Emergency Response Plan increases the university’s capabilities to respond to hazards that threaten the campus and to prevent or reduce the impact of hazards on the community. 

When an active shooter is in your vicinity, quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life. Students, employees and visitors are likely to follow the directions of instructors, supervisors and administrators during an active shooter situation.

Run: 

• Have an escape route and plan in mind.
• Leave your belongings behind (take keys and phones only if it doesn’t delay your escape).
• Keep your hands visible.
• Call or text 911 when it is safe to do so.

Hide:

• Hide in an area out of the active shooter’s view.
• Block entry to your hiding place and lock the doors if possible. 
• Call or text 911 when it is safe to do so.

Fight:

• As a last resort and only when your life is in danger.
• Attempt to incapacitate the active shooter.
• Act with physical aggression and throw items at the shooter. 
• Call or text 911 when it is safe to do so.

Active Shooter Training - Edge Learning

Active Shooter Training - Public

A lockdown may be instructed during situations such as a hostile or armed intruder inside a building. A lockdown requires locking doors and windows and barricading oneself to block entry to a facility or to an office suite. 

A shelter in place is the use of a structure and its indoor atmosphere to temporarily separate you from a hazardous outdoor atmosphere. This can be because of a hazardous material incident or a weather-related emergency. It entails closing all doors, windows, and vents and taking immediate shelter in a readily accessible location.

Lockdown Steps: 

An imminent threat of violence may be cause for a lockdown of all or part of campus. Some exterior doors will lock automatically. Emergency responders will lock others manually. The goal is to limit exposure to danger by preventing dangerous persons from entering campus buildings. If a lockdown is ordered:

• Stay inside! Do not leave the building unless an imminently dangerous situation arises inside. If outside, seek shelter in the nearest building.
• Choose a room with a sturdy door and a strong lock.
• Close windows, shades, and blinds.
• Be out of the view of the hazard. Stay away from glass windows or doors.
• Be cognizant of which way the door opens.
• In addition to locking the door, fortify doors with heavy items such as furniture.
• Stay low and hide behind large items that may provide full or partial cover.
• Report any emergency or unusual condition by calling or texting 911.
• Monitor UAlert, email, and the Incident webpage for updates and further instructions.
• Avoid detection:
  • Turn cell phones on silent (not vibrate, as a vibrating phone is still audible).
  • Turn off room lights.
• Once in a secure location, do not leave until receiving the “all clear” from law enforcement or UAlert.

Shelter-in-Place Steps: 

Shelter-in-place is designed to keep you safe while indoors. Procedures may vary depending on the hazard. If a shelter-in-place is ordered:

• If outside, seek shelter in the nearest building, preferably in an interior room with few windows.
• Allow access to others seeking shelter.
• Close all exterior doors, windows and any other openings to the outside.
• Avoid overcrowding by selecting several rooms if necessary.
• Monitor UAlerts, emails, and text message, as well as the Incident webpage for further instructions.
• Report any emergency or unusual condition by calling or texting 911.

• Do not leave the building until receiving the “all clear” from a law enforcement officer or UAlert.

   

Emergency Procedures

If evacuation of a building is necessary:

• Evacuate the building using the nearest exit (or alternate if nearest exit is blocked).
• DO NOT use elevators.
• Take personal belongings (keys, purses, wallets, etc.), if it does not delay your evacuation.
• Secure any hazardous materials or equipment before leaving.
• Follow directions given by building managers and/or emergency responders.
• Go to the assembly location designated in your building’s evacuation plan.
• Assist people with disabilities per the guidance below (see Evacuation of Disabled Persons). Disabled people can direct others on how to assist them with evacuation. University personnel should defer to the disabled person and only assist in ways the disabled person and University personnel feel comfortable.
• DO NOT re-enter the building until directed to do so by emergency response personnel.

Evacuations