Preventing crime in residence halls is as simple as closing a door. Universities want college students to be comfortable in their residence halls but often, with comfort comes complacency. By practicing a few simple safeguards, crime in the residence hall can be decreased. Here are a few helpful hints for residence hall safety.

• When entering your building, don't let strangers in. If an individual pushes past you, contact Public Safety immediately! This activity, called "tailgating," can admit potentially dangerous individuals to the building. By preventing tailgating, you help protect everyone in your building.
• Never prop doors. Jeanne Cleary, a student at Lehigh University, was raped and murdered by another student who was only able to gain access to Cleary's room through three security doors that were illegally propped. When you prop a door, you risk the security of everyone in your building.
• Never carry your Royal Card on the same key ring as your room key. If stolen or lost, the individual simply has to find where you live, access your building with your Royal card and use your key to enter your room. If you lose your key or Royal card, call Public Safety as soon as possible.
• Do not leave your key in your door. Again, anyone can walk by, take your key and have access to your room when you leave.
• Do not give your key or Royal card to anyone. In addition to being an invitation to crime, it's against University policy.
• Always lock your door whey you're asleep or away from your room. Check your windows whenever you leave to be sure they are locked if accessible from the ground.
• Never study in secluded places.
• Do not bring large amounts of cash or valuables to campus and keep anything of value out of sight. Remember, you will not know most of the people who have access to your floor and trusting strangers is an easy way to become the victim of a crime.
• Keep a record of your credit card numbers and contact numbers for the issuers. Record serial numbers from computers,, laptops, printers, televisions and other valuables.
• Do not leave computers, iPods, text books and other valuables in public areas such as study rooms while you take breaks, use the restrooms, etc.. The two minutes you are away from your valuables is one minute and fifty seconds longer than it takes to steal your belongings.
• Keep emergency numbers by your phone.
• Never open your door for someone you do not know.
• Do not leave a note on your door listing when you will be there.

Crime in residence halls is usually crime of opportunity. If you remove opportunity, you substantially lower the chance you will be a victim of crime.