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Public Safety Checklist

SHARK WATCH

As members of the university community, each of us has a role in keeping our campus safe.

  • If You See Something, Say Something. Program the NSU Public Safety Department’s phone number, (954) 262-8999, into your cell phone and report all suspicious individuals or activity on NSU Property to the NSU Public Safety Department. For additional information also visit http://www.dhs.gov/if-you-see-something-say-something-campaign
  • Utilize Public Safety walking escorts any night you are on campus; call the Public Safety Department at (954) 262-8999 and a uniformed Public Safety Officer will walk with you anywhere on campus.
  • Utilize the NSU Shark Shuttles when you travel around the campus.
  • Walk with friends while on campus.

SUICIDE & VIOLENCE PREVENTION

Are you concerned about someone or need consultation? The only real risk is in not doing anything.

  • If you or someone you know is suffering and you want to know how to help, call a Suicide Prevention hotline for 24/7 assistance:
    • 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
    • 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • If you are concerned about an NSU student, call the Henderson Student Counseling 24/7 hotline:
    • (954) 424-6911
  • If you are concerned about an NSU employee, call the MHNet hotline:
    • 1-877-398-5816
    • TTY: 1-800-338-2039

NSU ALERT

  • Stay informed of all campus emergencies. Program the NSU Emergency Hotline number, 800-256-5065, into your cellphone to stay informed and updated during actual or potential crisis/emergency situations. Call 9-1-1 for any emergency while on campus, then call Public Safety at (954) 262-8999.
  • Sign up for NSU’s Emergency Notification System. This is done by updating your emergency contact information at http://webstar.nova.edu. Program THE SMS text short code (89361) into your cellphone so you will recognize NSU ALERT text messages sent to your phone from the NSU Emergency Notification System.
  • Familiarize yourself with Public Safety Emergency Procedures.
  • Carry your NSU ID card and Emergency Preparedness card at all times. NSU ID cards and Emergency Preparedness cards can be obtained at the Campus Card Office, located in the University Center. The Card Office phone number is (954)-262-8929.
  • NSU Public Safety operates 24/7 and wants you to be a part of University Safety.  For Emergency Situations call 9-1-1 first then call NSU Public Safety at (954) 262-8999.
  • For Non-Emergency Situations, call Public Safety at (954)-262-8999 or use our Public Safety Contact Form to address any questions or concerns you may have.

FAMILY EMERGENCY PLAN

  • Make sure your family has a plan in case of an emergency. Before an emergency happens, sit down together and decide how you will get in contact with each other, where you will go, and what you will do in an emergency. Keep a copy of this plan in your emergency supply kit or another safe place where you can access it in the event of a disaster.
  • For help creating this plan, visit www.ready.gov/america/.

CRIME PREVENTION SAFETY TIPS

Personal Safety

  • Always be aware of your surroundings.
  • If you see something, say something.
  • Try to stay in well-lit areas.
  • Walk confidently at a steady pace on the side of the street facing traffic.
  • Walk close to the curb. Avoid doorways, bushes, and alleys.
  • Wear clothes and shoes that give you freedom to move.
  • Don’t walk alone at night and always avoid areas where there are few people.
  • Be careful when people stop and ask you for directions; always reply from a distance.
  • If you are in trouble, attract help in any way that you can. Scream and yell for help.
  • Keep your head. Stay as calm as possible, think rationally, and evaluate your resources and options.
  • If ever attacked, go to a safe place and call the police. The sooner you make the report, the greater the chances the attacker will be caught.

Home Safety

  • Check the identification of any sales or service people before letting them in.
  • Don’t let any stranger in your home when you are alone.
  • Never give the impression that you are alone if strangers telephone or come to the door.
  • If you come home and find a door open or signs of a forced entry, don’t go in. Call the police from the nearest phone.
  • Keep written records, with serial numbers if available, of all furniture, jewelry, bicycles, and electronic products including mobile phones. If possible, keep these records in a safe deposit box or fireproof safe.
  • Check your homeowner's insurance policies to ensure personal property is covered, or purchase insurance; inventory your valuables (to include a brief description, make, model, serial number, and a picture).
  • Secure sliding glass door locks.
  • Don’t hide spare keys in mailboxes, planters, or under doormats.

Vehicle Safety

  • Close all windows, lock all doors, and take the keys with you.
  • Never hide a second set of keys anywhere on your car.
  • Never leave your car’s engine running, even if you will only be gone for a minute.
  • Park in well-lighted areas.
  • Activate any anti-theft devices you have.
  • Push or recline your passenger seat forward; if you return to your car and the passenger seat has been returned to its normal position, chances are someone has entered your vehicle.
  • When approaching your vehicle, have your keys in hand.
  • Before you invest in any alarms; check with several established companies and decide what level of security fits your needs.

Travel Safety

  • If you do travel alone, leave your route and destination times with family or friends.
  • Keep your car locked at all times.
  • Keep the windows rolled up so that a person cannot reach inside. If confronted by someone on foot, drive away immediately, if safe to do so.
  • Make sure your car is in good working order and has plenty of gas before you drive.
  • Don’t leave packages or valuables in plain sight in your car; keep them in your trunk.
  • If you are being followed by another car, honk your horn and drive to the closest public place such as a police or fire station, restaurant, or gas station. Never go home if you think you are being followed.
  • If you are involved in a minor accident, do not get out of the car until fire, police, or medical assistance arrives. This is a favorite ploy of kidnappers and sexual battery offenders.

SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY

Florida is the lightning capital of the United States and our region has experienced an active storm season this year. All severe weather alerts are made available to the entire NSU community via the NSU Emergency web page and the NSU Hurricane web page.

Personal Lightning Safety Tips

  • PLAN in advance your evacuation and safety measures. When you first see lightning or hear thunder, activate your emergency plan. Now is the time to go to a building or a vehicle. Lightning often precedes rain, so don't wait for the rain to begin before suspending activities.
  • IF OUTDOORS...Avoid water. Avoid the high ground. Avoid open spaces. Avoid all metal objects including electric wires, fences, machinery, motors, power tools, etc. Unsafe places include underneath canopies, small picnic or rain shelters, or near trees. Where possible, find shelter in a substantial building or in a fully enclosed metal vehicle such as a car, truck or a van with the windows completely shut. If lightning is striking nearby when you are outside, you should:
    • Crouch down. Put feet together. Place hands over ears to minimize hearing damage from thunder.
    • Avoid proximity (minimum of 15 ft.) to other people.
    • IF INDOORS... Avoid water. Stay away from doors and windows. Do not use the telephone. Take off head sets. Turn off, unplug, and stay away from appliances, computers, power tools, & TV sets. Lightning may strike exterior electric and phone lines, inducing shocks to inside equipment.
    • SUSPEND ACTIVITIES for 30 minutes after the last observed lightning or thunder.
    • INJURED PERSONS do not carry an electrical charge and can be handled safely. Apply First Aid procedures to a lightning victim if you are qualified to do so. Call 9-1-1 or send for help immediately.
    • KNOW YOUR EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS. CALL 9-1-1 FIRST, then NSU PUBLIC SAFETY at (954) 262-8999.
    • For additional information, please visit http://www.nova.edu/publicsafety/forms/hurricane_brochure.pdf.

ADDITIONAL REMINDERS

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