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Countless health and safety resources can be found at UVM and in the Greater Burlington area.

As a UVM student and resident of Burlington, you have full access to health and safety resources on- and off-campus. Whether you're looking for identity-based affinity spaces, mental or physical health providers, or information on keeping yourself and your belongings safe, there is bound to be a local organization just waiting to help. 

Health & Wellness Resources

On-Campus

Off-Campus

Social Justice Programs & Organizations

On-Campus

Off-Campus

Keeping Yourself & Others Safe

Keeping Yourself Safe

  • Travel in small groups or pairs and pay attention to your surroundings. Stick to well-traveled, well-lit areas. Trust your instincts! If something feels wrong, get away to a public place, be loud & call attention to yourself. Do not worry about being polite.
  • Keep belongings close to your body. If someone tries to rob you, give up your property immediately.
  • If you think someone is following you, cross the street, move to the near- est group of people or ask for help. Consider reporting suspicious behavior to the police.
  • Know how alcohol affects your body and decisions around sex. Attend parties with friends you can trust, agree to look out for one another, and make a plan for how all of you will get home safely.
  • Do not accept an open drink from anyone. Again, do not worry about being polite.
  • Take a self-defense class to increase your knowledge, confidence, and assertiveness.
  • If you experience an off-campus bias or incident or hate crime (behavior that is motivated by bigotry and prejudice regarding a person’s real or perceived race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, gender, age, or disability, gender identity and/or expression), the following resources can assist you: Burlington Police Department (911 for emergencies, 802-658-2704 for non-emergencies) or UVM Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity (802-656-3368).

Keeping Others Safe

Get involved if you believe someone is at risk. If you see a person in a vulnerable situation at a party or believe that a friend is sexually coercing someone, say something. Report suspicious behavior to the police, even if it’s “just a hunch.” Your tips may be one of many being received about an individual. Every bit of information about a potential threat is critical.

Keeping Your Belongings Safe

Preventing Burglary

Burglaries are usually crimes of opportunity. Report all crime and any suspicious activity to the local police or dial 911. In non-emergency situations, you can reach the Burlington Police Department at 658-2704

  • The vast majority of burglaries occur at residences where a door or window has been left unsecured.
  • Keep your doors and windows locked at all times, especially when you are alone, sleeping, or when the apartment is unoccupied (even if only for a few moments)!
  • If you return home and see a slit screen, a broken window, or an open door, do not enter the apartment. Instead, call the police and await their instructions.
  • If you think you hear someone breaking in, leave safely if you can and call the police. If you cannot leave, lock yourself in a room with your phone and then call the police. If it is night time and an intruder is in your room, pretend that you are asleep to avoid escalating the situation.
  • Do not open the door for someone you do not know – including com- mon doors to apartment complexes or multi-unit homes. Service and repair personnel should have a pre-arranged contact person.
  • Be sure you have blinds or curtains on your windows, and keep them closed at night.
  • Make sure all lighting fixtures are working.
  • Place items of value out of sight and in locked areas. Do not leave valuables unattended in common areas.
  • Make a list of your valuables and mark them. Take photos of the itemsand list their serial numbers and descriptions.
  • Avoid walking alone at night.
  • Guard against identity theft. For information on preventing identity theft, visit consumer.gov/idtheft.
  • Guns are responsible for many accidental deaths in the home every year. If you do own one, learn how to store it and use it safely. And, make sure that your lease does not prohibit firearms on the premises.

Protecting Your Vehicle

  • Lock your car, even in your own driveway.
  • Never hide a spare key on the vehicle.
  • Roll up windows completely.
  • Remove keys from ignition.
  • Never leave your car running unattended
  • Park as close as possible to a source of light or activity.
  • Do not leave valuables in open sight.
  • If you have a garage, use it and lock the garage door.
  • Important papers, credit cards, etc. should never be left in a car.
  • The title to a vehicle should never be kept in the vehicle.
  • Do not park near a roof that has snow and icicles on it – it is rarely the building owner’s responsibility if the snow and ice slides and damages your vehicle.

Securing Your Place While Out of Town

Whether you are going home during an extended university break, or are just leaving town for a couple of days, the following tips are ways to increase the security of your residence:

  • Be sure there is good lighting around all doors.
  • Lock all doors and windows.
  • Do not hide spare keys outside.
  • Have someone you trust watch over your house while you are away.
  • Don’t leave valuable items in the open or near windows.
  • Close all curtains and blinds.
  • Put a hold on mail and package delivery
  • Consider the use of timers for interior lights or radios.
  • In winter, do not turn the heat off. Check your lease for directions on settings – generally, no lower than 55-60 degrees to avoid frozen pipes.

Fire Safety

Be sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working, and consider installing new batteries at the beginning of each semester. DO NOT disable smoke detectors for any reason! Tenants can be fined for disabling a smoke detector. If you are having trouble with a smoke detector, immediately contact your landlord. If the landlord fails to correct the problem in a timely manner, contact Code Enforcement Office (802-863-0442).

  • Do not overload electrical outlets. Use a fused power strip to plug in multiple appliances.
  • Know where your fire extinguishers are and how to use them. There should be one in every kitchen and on every floor of your house.
  • Put out candles and incense when unattended. Check your lease to see if candles and incense are allowed. Extinguish all smoking materials thoroughly.
  • Clean up immediately after parties and take all trash outside.
  • Do not leave food unattended on the stove or in the microwave.
  • Know where escape ladders or emergency exits are. Plan your escape routes. Know at least two ways to get out of your apartment. Make sure all exit doors are not locked on the inside and the path is not obstructed.
  • Know at least two ways out of your apartment.
  • Keep external gas vents free of debris and clutter.
  • Stuffed indoor furniture cannot be used outdoors or on porches. Burlington city ordinance prohibits grills and barbeques from being used on porches. Use grills and other cooking equipment at least 15 feet away from the residence or any structure.

Need help after an incident?

Parallel Justice Program

Burlington's Community Justice Center offers support, validation, and resources to victims of any crimes in Burlington through the Parallel Justice Program. Check out their website for more information about how they can help you or a friend after a crime has occurred. 

Reporting Bias Incidents

Bias incidents are those where speech or expressive conduct is directed toward an individual or group that is based on or motivated by the individual or group’s real or perceived race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, gender, age, disability, or gender identity and/or expression.

Reporting Resources:

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