Security Tips

Access Control

• Keep your student card with you at all times.
• Do not give access to any person/s not accompanying you at your residence.
• Do not allow any person to access any door or gate with your student card or by means of sneaking in/out behind you.
• Never put any device in front of the door or keep it open.
• When leaving your room, lock your door. Whether you are frequenting the toilets/shower or visiting your next door neighbour, lock your room.
• If staying on the ground floor, do not leave your windows open as items can be stolen through the windows even if far from the open window (makeshift hooks from branches and clothes hangers).

Room Keys

• Please keep your room locked at all times.
• Keep strict control over your room key. Do not leave it on top of the door frame or hide it anywhere else on the corridor or in the residence.
• Rather ask students/friends to walk with you should you have to leave the room for a moment. Never leave anyone alone in your room.
• The more difficult you make it for the prospective thief, the better.
• Never make a copy of your room keys. 

Laptops

1. When your laptop is not in use, lock it away in a lockable cabinet or safe. Laptop safes are available to hire at TuksRes. Complete the application form at your Coordinator: Residence Facilities.
2. Ensure that your assets are marked clearly.
3. Ensure that the serial numbers of assets are kept in a safe place.

Report any security incident or loss to the Department of Security Services at 012-420 2310. These reports help to identify security risks.

Cell Phones

To check your Mobile phone’s serial number key in the following digits on your phone: *#06#.

• A 15-digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe.
• Should your handset get stolen, you can contact your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset. Even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless.You probably won’t get your phone back, but at least you’ll know that whoever stole it cannot use/sell it either.

Tips on Personal Safety

The 3 reasons why people are easy targets for random acts of violence are:

• Lack of awareness (you MUST know where you are and what is going on around you)
• Body language (keep your head up, swing your arms, stand up straight, show confidence)
• Wrong place, wrong time (DO NOT walk alone in an alley, or drive in an unsafe neighbourhood at night)

General

• Handbags, suitcases and valuable items (wallets, cell phones and keys) must never be left on a car seat. Make it a habit to lock your valuables in your car’s boot.
• Always keep your vehicle’s doors locked and the windows closed.
• Be alert and on the lookout for suspect individuals, especially at traffic lights, stop streets and parking areas.
• Do not stop in isolated places, especially not after sunset.
• Do not tell a person where the person is that they are looking for; rather take them to him/her. This way you can see if the visitor is indeed legitimate and you can phone Security should there be a discrepancy. You have the full right to ask a stranger what their business in the residence is.
• If you are collecting money for whatever reason, exercise the necessary caution and deposit it as soon as possible. Don't leave it in your room where everyone knows where to get it.
• If anything happens that you feel Security should know about, contact the Operational Manager and inform them immediately of the said incident.

Limitation of Liability

• The University and its employees are not liable for any damages or loss of whatever nature that may be incurred by any student in respect of property owned by, or in the possession of, such student.
• Take your bicycle to the control room of Security Services in the old Admin building in order to have your student number stamped on your bicycle frame. We also promulgate the use of a U-lock.
• Get a parking disc for your residence to enable you to safely park your car inside the security perimeter.
• If you lose your student card, block it immediately at the CSC. The card may be illegally used for access or meals. When you get a new card you will have to unblock it again. Nobody will be able to use the old card once you received your new card.
• Tampering with any IT equipment in the IT labs is against the student computing code of conduct and may result in a disciplinary hearing.
• Tampering with the access control equipment may result in a disciplinary hearing.
• Tampering with the fire equipment is a transgression of Act 85 of 1993 and is punishable with a fine of R 2 000 and/or 12 months imprisonment.

Remove all belongings from your room and the premises during a recess. A good idea is to write the serial numbers down and keep them in a safe place. By doing this you can prove ownership of the items, should they get stolen.