Fall 2017

WatSAFE

Stay Safe at UW!

Jennifer Guillen (Revision)

WatSAFE

WatSAFE (available for Android & iOS) is the University of Waterloo’s official safety app for students, staff, and faculty. WatSAFE is one of the ways to receive campus emergency alerts. It offers quick access to campus safety and emergency resources, and information about major campus emergency events. The WatSAFE app also lets you check weather and safety updates from Waterloo’s official social media accounts. Some features it provides are:

In-app alerts and push notifications
Emergency contact information
A personal safety toolbox
Safety and emergency resources
Campus maps

Personal safety toolbox

While in-app, the “Personal safety toolbox” provides various safety options:

Report suspicious activity. If you see something suspicious, you can report the activity by:
- Emailing the University of Waterloo’s (UW) Police and or sending the UW Police a photo
- Calling the UW Police to report the suspicious activity
Personal safety guide:
- Provides safety tips for all types of situations (walking, transportation, elevators, workplaces, and where you live to help prevent dangerous situations)
Emergency procedures:
- Informs you of what steps to take in cases of various emergencies
Emergency contact information:
- Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) and Return to Work information

Campus safety and security

The in-app option lists campus safety and security resources:

UW Police: Campus Police Services
Working Alone Guideline: Outlines measures to decrease the risks of working alone through communicating, assessing, situations, and mitigating risks.
Shuttle Services at UWaterloo: The Shuttle Service is a complimentary service provided by the Federation of Students to help you get home safely if you are staying late on campus. This provides the shuttle’s hours of operation, pickup locations, and more.
The Safety Office: The Safety Office provides consultation and support services on matters relating to health and safety such as laboratory safety, hazard recognition and control, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), and the ergonomic program.

Support resources

Counselling Services: Crisis counselling, seminars, and workshops (leads to Health Services Link, we can link more directly)
Health Services: Medical care for UW students
Waterloo Region Crisis Supports: Information about what you can do in an emergency or crisis
Sexual assault resources: Resources for dealing with and preventing sexual assault (not found on WatSAFE link to UW Police site)
AccessAbility Services: Information and assistance for persons with disabilities
Conflict Management & Human Rights: Resources and support for dealing with harassment, discrimination, and other forms of conflict.

For more information, visit the WatSAFE page or follow them on Twitter. The WatSAFE web site provides all the information and much of the functionality of the app and is accessible through any web browser. WatSAFE is constantly updating to try and help keep students, staff, and faculty safe while they’re on campus, and if you have any recommendations or concerns about the app, be sure to let the WatSAFE team know!

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