Safe and Secure Over Spring Break

February 28, 2023
The Baylor University Department of Public Safety offers tips for staying safe and secure over spring break.

Media Contact: Shelby Cefaratti-Bertin, Baylor University Media and Public Relations, 254-327-8012
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Spring Break is almost here, and many students look forward to this halfway mark in the semester as a time of relaxation and fun with friends and family. Whether students are off on vacation, on a mission trip or just taking the week to relax, everyone can follow a few helpful suggestions to keep themselves safe and their property secure. The Baylor University Department of Public Safety offers several safety tips for our campus community to consider while enjoying a safe spring break:

Keeping your home/apartment/car/residence hall room safe while you are gone:

  • Lock and bolt all doors and windows. Keep a light on or schedule a light to turn on to make your home appear occupied.
  • Avoid posting vacation and trip information on social media.
  • Hide valuables and any items that might come into view through windows.

Keeping yourself safe while traveling:

  • Make sure that someone knows where you are going and can get in touch with you.
  • When driving, switch drivers often, especially when you start to feel signs of fatigue. Do most of your driving during daylight hours.
  • If you are traveling abroad, be aware of the country's laws and share your itinerary and hotel information with family or friends.
  • Get to know your destination in depth before you arrive. Map out travel routes and research any stops.
  • If using rideshare such as Uber or Lyft, make sure to use the app's safety features.
  • Make copies of important documents such as a passport, driver's license or another form of identification. Do the same with your credit and debit cards in case they are lost or stolen.
  • Safeguard your space by locking and deadbolting the door and keeping windows shut.
  • Don't let strangers into your room, even if they say they work for the hotel. You can always call the front desk to check whether that person is a hotel staff.
  • Be aware of your surroundings and use good judgment when talking to strangers.
  • Prepare for the unexpected, and if you see something – say something.

"Taking steps ahead of time, letting people know where you are and staying aware of your surroundings – wherever you are – will increase the chances of keeping yourself and your belongings safe and secure," said Mark G. Childers, associate vice president of safety and security who joined Baylor in 2014 after a long career with the U.S. Secret Service.

Even with students away during holiday breaks, the Baylor University Police Department (BUPD) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is always available should the need arise. BUPD can be reached immediately by calling 254-710-2222 or 9-1-1 using BU Campus Guardian smartphone app or using one of the 81 emergency call boxes and 123 emergency telephones across campus to connect directly to BUPD.

In addition, Baylor has a wealth of resources available for students' ongoing health and well-being, including the Title IX Office and the Baylor University Counseling Center.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.

ABOUT BAYLOR DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

The Baylor University Department of Public Safety serves as an umbrella department for the Baylor University Police Department, emergency management, fire safety, global safety and security, technical security and parking and transportation. The DPS is set on providing students, faculty and alumni with excellent security and safety through instant notification systems, extensive surveillance cameras and highly trained staff.