SafeZone emergency messaging app
Whether you’re heading home after an evening on campus, studying late, or simply want to know that help is available if you need it, SafeZone is the new University of Reading app that helps keep you and the University community safe.
Get help when you need it
SafeZone gives you quick access to help through your phone. You can use the app to:
- Raise an alert if you need help or other assistance.
- Check in and share your location when you’re working or studying alone, in an area where you feel vulnerable, or late at night. You can extend your check-in or cancel at anytime, giving you extra reassurance when you’re on your own.
- Receive important safety alerts and information directly on your phone.
- Access wellbeing support and connect with relevant mental health resources.
- Report concerns to the Security team.
Please note that you should always call 999 in the case of an emergency.
How to use the app
- Select Help if you are in a situation where someone needs Security assistance but there is not an immediate threat to life or safety, for example you or someone else feels unsafe, needs assistance or to report a concern. When you press this button it will initiate a phone call to the Security team.
- Select Emergency if there is an immediate or serious threat where an urgent Security response is required. When you press this button it will initiate a phone call to the Security team on their emergency line.
Using the app is not a replacement for dialling 999. If you require an emergency or medical response, please always dial 999 in the first instance. Putting an alert through SafeZone is still useful to make the Security team aware and help them to respond locally, but this is not a replacement for calling the emergency services.
Your privacy matters
Location sharing is an important feature on this app, so that we can get help to you when you need it. However, please be reassured that SafeZone does not share your location with the response team unless you actively raise an alert or check in (or choose to submit a report that includes your location).
You can opt to turn location sharing off while using the app, but please note this will prevent our security teams from locating you in the case of an emergency.
Download now
Search SafeZone in the Apple or Google app stores.
Login using your University of Reading username and password to complete your registration and enable the relevant permissions.
MyWay app
The MyWay app has lots of safety features to help you feel safer walking home.
How MyWay helps you:
- Look ahead and see which streets are well-lit, how many people are on the streets, and whether anybody has reported any recent incidents
- Automatically send an SMS to anyone you choose to say you got home safely after a night out
- Look after each other by sharing your location on the map with friends. (You can easily turn location sharing off)
- Lost your way? Use the 'Take Me Home' button to show walking or bus directions back to your home, from wherever you are.
- Report a situation on the app so that others can see it and decide whether to avoid the area
Download the MyWay app for free on Google Play and Apple Store.