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Personal Safety

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Personal Safety 2022-03-07T16:21:23+00:00

Personal Safety

Personal safety is a shared responsibility. You are encouraged to think and act in ways that increase your personal safety and the protection of your belongings.

Injury or Illness

Staff and faculty should use an OSHA form to report a job related injury or illness. (See Human Resources for more information.)

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Personal Safety Information

CARE Team (Concern. Assistance. Resources. Empowerment.)

The mission of Highline College’s CARE is to balance safety and support on campus by promoting the health and safety of the campus community through coordination of information and the development of support plans for people of concern.

Prepare yourself for potential emergencies

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internet Safety

Find preventative measures for protecting your computer, learn about the latest e-scams and warnings and more.

Personal Safety Tips

On campus

  • When walking on campus during the day but especially at night, use well-traveled, open routes to get to your destination.
  • Walk assertively, without day-dreaming, and be alert to everything around you. Dress for movement; wear low-heeled shoes if possible and don’t carry too many bulky packages.
  • At night, never walk alone unless absolutely necessary. Wait in a well-lighted place if someone is meeting you. (Contact Highline Public Safety for an on-campus escort.)
  • Have your car keys in your hand before leaving the building. Get into your vehicle quickly and lock your doors immediately. Caution: If you see someone loitering around your vehicle, leave and call for a safety officer escort before approaching.

In the office

  • Some employees carry a loud whistle or other noise device to alert nearby colleagues in case of emergency.
  • Lock building doors. Do not prop open outside building doors that are supposed to remain locked.

On the street

  • Police advise saying “No” to requests for money from strangers and avoid confrontation by not saying or doing anything to provoke further conversation.
  • If you feel threatened, try to avoid the danger by getting away from it quickly.
  • Scream loudly for help, “Call the Police!”
  • From any campus phone, dial 3218 for Highline Public Safety or dial 911 for the police
  • Dial 911 for police or fire from any public phone
  • Engrave your name on valuables such as iPods, iPads, calculators, and private computer equipment.
  • Password protect your cell phone – especially your smart phone.
  • In the office, always store your handbags and wallets in locked cabinets or drawers even while you are in the room. Don’t make it easy for strangers to walk into an office and leave with your property seconds later. If you leave your work area, find someone to stay in the office. Otherwise, lock your door even if your are only going down the hall to the room next door.
  • In the classroom, library or cafeteria keep your backpacks, handbags, or other valuables with you at all times.
  • Keep your keys with you, not in a desk drawer, or coat pocket. Don’t put your name and address on the key ring, and don’t loan your keys to others.
  • Backpacks, wallets and purses
    • Keep personal items with you at all times or locked away.
    • Make sure your purse is closed or your wallet does not protrude from your pocket.
    • Police advise that if you must carry a large amount of cash, separate it from your purse or wallet and carry it in an inside or hidden pocket.

Bicycles

  • Use a case hardened U-bolt locking device. Kryptonite locks are recommended over chains and cables. If you use cables, wind it through the frame and both wheels and then around a fixed object or bike stand.

Motorbikes

  • Use a case-hardened chain at least 3/8″ thick and sturdy padlock to secure your motorbike.

Cars

  • Close all windows and sun roof, lock doors and remove your key from the ignition when leaving it parked on campus. Visible steering wheel locks prevent the steering wheel from being turned.
  • Never hide a second set of key in your vehicle. Thieves know all the hiding places.
  • Never leave your car running while unattended, even if you will only be gone for a minute.
  • Don’t leave valuable items in plain view. Items left out in the open attract thieves.
  • Don’t leave important documents such as a bank statements, credit card bills/statements or other personal information in your vehicle. Thieves can use this information to steal your identity and have access your bank and credit card accounts.

Resources for Flu Season

Protect yourself and others from the flu by following these simple guidelines from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

1. Take time to get a flu vaccine.

  • The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.
  • Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine as soon as the current season’s vaccines are available.

2. Take preventive actions to stop the spread of germs.

  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • If you are sick with flu-like illness, the CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities.
  • While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.

3. Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.

  • If you get the flu, antiviral drugs can treat your illness.
  • Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
  • Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within 2 days of getting sick, but starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the sick person has a high-risk health condition or is very sick from the flu. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking this drug.
  • Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.