More information will be posted here when it becomes available.
10/25/2013

Safety Tips

Some Tricks for Traveling More Safely

Remember: Fall back, Spring forward! On Sunday, November 3, Daylight Saving Time comes to an end. This means we can all sleep an extra hour Sunday morning and still have breakfast at the usual time. It also means we lose an hour of daylight just around the time most of us are heading home from work or school. Public Safety wants to remind you of the following tips on how to stay safe during your commute.

Public Transportation Safety Tips
• Become familiar with the different bus and trolley routes and their schedules. SEPTA schedules and general information are available by visiting www.septa.com or calling (215) 580-7800.
• If you travel underground, be aware of the emergency call boxes on the platform. These phones contact SEPTA Police. The phones operate much like the University’s Blue Light Phones. To operate the SEPTA Phone, push the button. A SEPTA operator will identify your transit stop and assist you immediately
• Whenever possible, try to sit near the driver.
• In the subway station, stand back from the platform edge.
• Pay attention to your surroundings.
• Don’t become complacent while using your cell phone or iPod.
• Don’t fall asleep! Stay Alert!
•  Avoid becoming a victim of pick pocketing
• Never display your money in a crowd.
• Keep your bag or purse close to you and in view.
•  Off Peak Travel Tips
• If you use subways, especially during off-peak hours, stand near the SEPTA call box.
• In case of an emergency there is a cashier’s booth staffed during hours of operation.
• If possible travel with a companion(s). 
• Request a Walking Escort by calling (215) 573-WALK (9255).
•  Emergency Phones at Subway Stops & Blue Light Phones
• If you observe a potential safety hazard, would like a walking escort or require the Division of Public Safety’s assistance, you can use one of more than 500 blue light emergency phones on campus and in the surrounding community. Just pick up the receiver or press the button. 
• SEPTA  maintains their own emergency call boxes. Become familiar with where these call boxes are the next time you are waiting for your subway or trolley.
Safety Tips on the Street
•  Do not display your smartphone (iPhone, Android, etc.) when walking about. Keep it in your bag or pocket.
•  Avoid using earphones when walking to ensure that you stay alert and aware of your surroundings.
•  Stay in well-lit areas. Walk mid-point between curbs and buildings, away from alleys, entries and bushes. Stay near people.
•  Avoid short cuts through parks, vacant lots and other low-occupancy places.
•  Carry only necessary credit cards and money. Avoid using outdoor ATMs (automated teller machines). Instead, look for banks that require entry into a lobby to use their ATM.
•  If you must carry a purse or handbag, keep it close to your body. This will minimize the chances of theft. If your purse is taken, don’t fight. Turn it over and immediately call 911.
•  Walk with someone whenever possible. Participate in buddy systems.
•  Do not stop to give directions or other information to strangers. Never hitchhike.
•  If you believe are being followed, call 911. Be alert & confident—making good eye contact may discourage the follower. Cross the street, change directions, or vary your pace. If someone follows you in a car, record the license number and call 911 immediately.
      •  Have your key out and ready before you reach your car or door.
      •  Trust your instincts and use common sense.
Additional Services Available to you on Penn’s Campus
LUCY Loop
LUCY (Loop through University City) is a shuttle operating Monday through Friday, from 6:10 a.m. until 7 p.m., between 30th Street Station and University City. Managed by the University City District and operated by SEPTA, LUCY is a great way to ease your commute. Rides are free for holders of a valid PennCard. Schedule and route information is maintained by the University City District. For more information visit: www.universitycity.org/getting_around/lucy 
Penn Transit
Business Services’ Penn Transit offers various transportation services that you can use for getting around University City or simply just getting to your car. For more information, visit www.upenn.edu/transportation
Walking Escort                                 (215) 898-WALK (9255)
Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, between 30th to 43rd Streets and Market Street to Baltimore Avenue. Escorts are also available from 10 a.m. until 3 a.m. between 30th & 50th and Spring Garden Street to Woodland Avenue via the University’s partnership with the University District Ambassador Program.
Riding Escort                                       (215) 898-RIDE (7433) 
Penn Transit Services: (215) 898-RIDE (7433) Monday-Sunday, 6 p.m.-3 a.m.; Limited on-call service, 3 a.m.-7 a.m. Visit www.upenn.edu/transportation
Penn Guardian 
Penn Guardian is a free and optional service that is available to anyone with a valid Penn ID number and PennKey, using a registered cell phone.
How Penn Guardian Works
Penn Guardian is a service that allows Penn students, staff and faculty to voluntarily provide information about themselves to the Division of Public Safety which may be helpful to know during an emergency, such as a medical condition.
Penn Guardian can also provide police with GPS coordinates from a registered user’s cell phone, which can decrease response time and allow first responders to locate them if they are not able to provide their location.
For more information, and to register, please visit:  www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/pennguardian/

Public Transportation Safety Tips

• Become familiar with the different bus and trolley routes and their schedules. SEPTA schedules and general information are available by visiting www.septa.com or calling (215) 580-7800.

• If you travel underground, be aware of the emergency call boxes on the platform. These phones contact SEPTA Police. The phones operate much like the University’s Blue Light Phones. To operate the SEPTA Phone, push the button. A SEPTA operator will identify your transit stop and assist you immediately

• Whenever possible, try to sit near the driver.

• In the subway station, stand back from the platform edge.

• Pay attention to your surroundings.

• Don’t become complacent while using your cell phone or iPod.

• Don’t fall asleep! Stay Alert!

•  Avoid becoming a victim of pick pocketing

• Never display your money in a crowd.
• Keep your bag or purse close to you and in view.

•  Off Peak Travel Tips

• If you use subways, especially during off-peak hours, stand near the SEPTA call box.
• In case of an emergency there is a cashier’s booth staffed during hours of operation.
• If possible travel with a companion(s). 
• Request a Walking Escort by calling (215) 573-WALK (9255).

•  Emergency Phones at Subway Stops & Blue Light Phones

• If you observe a potential safety hazard, would like a walking escort or require the Division of Public Safety’s assistance, you can use one of more than 500 blue light emergency phones on campus and in the surrounding community. Just pick up the receiver or press the button. 

• SEPTA  maintains their own emergency call boxes. Become familiar with where these call boxes are the next time you are waiting for your subway or trolley.

Safety Tips on the Street

•  Do not display your smartphone (iPhone, Android, etc.) when walking about. Keep it in your bag or pocket.

•  Avoid using earphones when walking to ensure that you stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

•  Stay in well-lit areas. Walk mid-point between curbs and buildings, away from alleys, entries and bushes. Stay near people.

•  Avoid short cuts through parks, vacant lots and other low-occupancy places.

•  Carry only necessary credit cards and money. Avoid using outdoor ATMs (automated teller machines). Instead, look for banks that require entry into a lobby to use their ATM.

•  If you must carry a purse or handbag, keep it close to your body. This will minimize the chances of theft. If your purse is taken, don’t fight. Turn it over and immediately call 911.

•  Walk with someone whenever possible. Participate in buddy systems.

•  Do not stop to give directions or other information to strangers. Never hitchhike.

•  If you believe are being followed, call 911. Be alert & confident—making good eye contact may discourage the follower. Cross the street, change directions, or vary your pace. If someone follows you in a car, record the license number and call 911 immediately.

 •  Have your key out and ready before you reach your car or door.
    

 •  Trust your instincts and use common sense.

Additional Services Available to you on Penn’s Campus

LUCY Loop

LUCY (Loop through University City) is a shuttle operating Monday through Friday, from 6:10 a.m. until 7 p.m., between 30th Street Station and University City. Managed by the University City District and operated by SEPTA, LUCY is a great way to ease your commute. Rides are free for holders of a valid PennCard. Schedule and route information is maintained by the University City District. For more information visit: www.universitycity.org/getting_around/lucy 

Penn Transit

Business Services’ Penn Transit offers various transportation services that you can use for getting around University City or simply just getting to your car. For more information, visit www.upenn.edu/transportation

Walking Escort                                

(215) 898-WALK (9255)
Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, between 30th to 43rd Streets and Market Street to Baltimore Avenue. Escorts are also available from 10 a.m. until 3 a.m. between 30th & 50th and Spring Garden Street to Woodland Avenue via the University’s partnership with the University District Ambassador Program.

Riding Escort                                      

(215) 898-RIDE (7433) 
Penn Transit Services: (215) 898-RIDE (7433) Monday-Sunday, 6 p.m.-3 a.m.; Limited on-call service, 3 a.m.-7 a.m. Visit www.upenn.edu/transportation

Penn Guardian

Penn Guardian is a free and optional service that is available to anyone with a valid Penn ID number and PennKey, using a registered cell phone.

How Penn Guardian Works
Penn Guardian is a service that allows Penn students, staff and faculty to voluntarily provide information about themselves to the Division of Public Safety which may be helpful to know during an emergency, such as a medical condition.

Penn Guardian can also provide police with GPS coordinates from a registered user’s cell phone, which can decrease response time and allow first responders to locate them if they are not able to provide their location.

For more information, and to register, please visit:  www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/pennguardian/

Halloween Safety, Too

This is also a good time to pass some Halloween Safety Tips to any children you know:

— Trick-or-treat in your neighborhood.

— Never go out alone. Go with friends. 

— Ask your mom or dad, older sister or brother, or a neighbor to go along.

— Stay in well-lighted areas.

— Wear white or reflective clothing.

— Carry a flashlight, glowstick or reflective bag. 

— Watch out for cars.

— Have your parents inspect all treats before you eat them.

These safety tips were printed in the Penn Almanac on 10/22/13, whcih can be found at:  http://www.upenn.edu/almanac/volumes/v60/n10/safetyafterdark.html

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