Holiday Safety Tips

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Holiday Safety Tips

November 18, 2015

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MACOMB, IL — As the 2015 holiday season fast approaches, the Western Illinois University Office of Public Safety (OPS) and the Macomb Police Department 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.

Residence hall rooms, office doors and homes should be locked when the occupant(s) leave, even if it's just for a few minutes.
Don't leave backpacks, purses, bags, book, packages and other items unattended.
Avoid leaving items in plain view in a vehicle overnight; lock vehicles at all times.

Before leaving for the Thanksgiving holiday break weekend (or any extended period of time), off-campus residents should ensure their doors and windows are locked; leave a porch light on; and ask someone to check on the property.

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 wiu.edu/vpas/public_safety/documents/ElectronicDeviceRegistrationF.pdf.

OPS Director Scott Harris also encourages members of the WIU community to buckle up when traveling, especially during busy holiday travel days, such as the upcoming Thanksgiving break. The Illinois Department of Transportation, with the cooperation of Illinois law enforcement agencies, will sponsor a "Click It or Ticket" campaign during the holiday season.

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.

"Millions of people hit the roads during the holiday season, and more vehicles means the potential for more dangerous roads. It's important that everyone buckles up. I'd like to remind our students, faculty and staff to drive safely as they travel over the holidays," Harris added. "The Office of Public Safety wishes everyone a happy, and safe, Thanksgiving."

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