As Thanksgiving approaches, Drexel Public Safety encourages you to make safety a priority, whether you're staying on campus or traveling for the holiday.
Stay Alert: As you’re walking around campus or your neighborhood during these shorter autumn days, remember to use well-lit walkways, limit distractions from phones and headphones, and walk in groups whenever possible. If you're driving, use your headlights, obey posted speed limits, slow down in crowded areas, bad weather or construction zones, watch for pedestrians and cyclists, and avoid distracted driving.
Travel Safely: Before leaving campus for the holiday, remember to lock your doors and windows, secure valuables, take important belongings and medications with you, and unplug unnecessary electronics. Keep your phone charged, save emergency contacts and let family or friends know when you've arrived safely.
Cook Responsibly: Follow six simple rules for a fire-safe Thanksgiving below.
Most importantly, look out for one another. A few simple precautions can make a big difference in keeping the Drexel community safe. And as always, in an emergency, contact Drexel Public Safety at 215.895.2222 or dial 911.
The Thanksgiving Pre-plan for a Fire-Safe Holiday
Thanksgiving is the No. 1 day for home cooking fires in the United States, more than three times the daily average. Christmas Day is second. Christmas Eve is third.
The reasons are not mysterious. People who do not cook most days are suddenly running four burners. Guests are in the house. The news is on. The oven has been going for six hours. Someone is pouring wine. A dishtowel is next to the burner because there is no counter space left.
You can avoid common fire hazards and keep your holiday gatherings safe with this Thanksgiving Day pre-plan, courtesy of Drexel’s Director of Fire and Emergency Services Derrick Sawyer.
- Clear three feet. If it can burn, it does not belong next to the burner. Keep dishtowels, oven mitts, paper decorations, loose sleeves and cardboard pie boxes at least three feet away from flames.
- Keep a lid in reach. The right response to a grease fire: the lid of the pan it is burning in. Not water. Not moving the pan. Not the sink. Place the lid on top, then kill the heat and let it cool.
- Pick a designated cook. Someone must remain in the kitchen when dishes are cooking. The designated cook is not the person also hosting six guests and watching the game, and they should not be drinking while cooking. Cooking under the influence is the single factor most strongly linked to fatal cooking fires.
- Set a timer on your phone for anything in the oven. Your phone goes with you; the oven timer does not.
- Do not disable the smoke alarm. If oven smoke is setting it off, open a window and run the hood. Pulling the battery is how fatal fires start on Friday morning.
- Observe the 6 rules of turkey frying: outdoors, flat ground, 10 feet from any structure, bird fully thawed (ice meeting 350-degree oil is an explosion), attended the entire time, no alcohol. If you cannot meet all six, do not fry.
The best fire story on Friday morning is the one you do not have. Use this Thanksgiving Day pre-plan to keep your holiday fire-free.
Veterans Food Pantry Drive
Drexel Public Safety, in partnership with Drexel University’s Center for Military and Veteran Services, is running a food drive through Nov. 30 supporting the food pantry at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The pantry provides essential food resources to veterans in our community who are experiencing food scarcity, ensuring that those who have served our country have access to the nourishment and support they deserve.
Students, faculty, professional staff and community members can participate by donating nonperishable food items. Some of the most needed items include:
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Canned tuna, salmon, chicken and vegetables
- Canned soups, beans and chili
- Pasta, pasta sauce and rice
- Cereal, crackers and granola/protein bars
- Canned fruit, fruit cups and applesauce
- Shelf-stable milk and instant potatoes
- Condiments, spices and other pantry staples
Low-sodium options and easy-to-open containers and packaging are preferred. Before donating, please check expiration dates and ensure all items are in good condition.
Collection bins are available at the following campus locations:
- Drexel Public Safety: 3219 Arch St. Police Headquarters and 3201 Arch St. Main Lobby
- McGonigal Academic Resource Center, Korman Center Lobby
- The Lindy Center, 3210 Cherry St.
- Office of the Executive Vice President, Main Building 225
- Drexel Recreation Center Lobby, 33rd and Market streets
- Elkins Park Campus: 8360 South/West, 8380 North Building and Hafter Student Community Center
2026 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report Now Available
Drexel University has published its 2026 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which contains information about campus safety and security policies, crime statistics for the previous three calendar years, fire safety information, emergency response procedures, reporting options, victim resources, and other important safety-related information. The report is prepared annually by the Department of Public Safety with input from campus partners and in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act.
New Clery Act Policy & Training
Drexel’s new Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act Policy, PS-04 ("Clery Policy") establishes University-wide rules and responsibilities for compliance with the federal Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act and affirms Drexel’s commitment to accurate, timely and transparent campus safety information. The Clery Policy applies to all members of the Drexel community, including faculty, professional staff, students, individuals designated as Campus Security Authorities (as defined in the policy), and University departments with specified Clery compliance responsibilities.
Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) are required to complete a new online training, The Clery Act at Drexel University – 2026, which launched Nov. 16. Identified CSAs will receive a notification from Career Pathway to complete the online training, which covers CSA responsibilities and crime reporting. Watch for your notification and help support a safe campus community. Questions? Contact the Clery Compliance Office at cleryact@drexel.edu
We Are Here for You When You Need Us
Please call 215.895.2222 immediately if you experience or witness a crime. Drexel’s Public Safety Communications Center is staffed 24/7 to serve you, whether or not you choose to remain anonymous when making a report. It is vital that crimes are reported promptly to Drexel Police so that they can be investigated, and so that Public Safety can connect the victim(s) with proper resources. You can also contact DPS through the Drexel Guardian app. Drexel Guardian will not track you nor share your information unless you initiate an emergency. To download the app, search for “Rave Guardian” in the app store or Google Play store.
Additional University resources:
Report Harassment, Discrimination, or Sexual Misconduct through the Office of Civil Rights Compliance.
Counseling Services are available through the Office of Counseling and Health.
Emergency Numbers
215.895.2222 or 911
TTY: 445.221.5436
Walking Escorts: 215.895.2222