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University of Reading

Switch off and be safe this Christmas

Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Hopkins building at night

Message from the Sustainability team:

Before you leave for the Christmas break, please take a few moments to consider what equipment you may be able to turn off; last year's Christmas week electricity bill was an eye-watering £47,000! Simple efforts, replicated in every building really do add up to some major savings. Here are a few ideas:

  • Turn an extra light off! If we each turn just one additional light off when we leave, we'll save £5,000 over the Christmas week
  • Turn your PC and your monitor off when you leave; switching off 100 extra machines will save £150
  • Turn your printer off too; many printers use significant amounts of energy while in standby mode.

Advice from the Security team:

  • Secure all windows and lock all doors
  • Where possible, move all valuable items away from windows
  • Close blinds
  • Lock away as many valuable items as possible
  • Keep all keys locked away in a safe place
  • If your building has an alarm, ensure it is in good working order and set for the duration
  • Ensure all access control systems are programmed to remain locked throughout the closure period
  • Bank all cash
  • Ensure vending machines are emptied. Consider placing notices on vending machines, stating that the machines are emptied on a daily basis
  • Property mark any new items. It won't stop them being stolen, but it will make them less attractive to thieves. For further information, please contact Gary McGuirk, Deputy Head of Security on ext. 6188
  • Remove all equipment from University vehicles before parking them in car park 5. Please leave vehicle keys with Security Control. Please try to collect them by 8am on the morning of 2 January
  • Update Security Control with any changes to your emergency call-out arrangements
  • If you do come into work over the closure period, please inform Security Control when you arrive and also when you leave. If you require access to the building. Prior notification should be sent to security@reading.ac.uk No access will be granted with this.

Security Control contact details: