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Using the app you can alert СŷÊÓƵ Security Services via your mobile phone if you ever need emergency, first aid or non-urgent help while on campus or in our residences.  Through the app you will also receive mass notifications from the СŷÊÓƵ if there is an incident developing on campus.

Why should you download SafeZone?

3 reasons why we recommend all students and staff download the Safezone app: 

1. It’s the quickest and easiest way for us to contact you in an emergency or if we need to close campus suddenly – for example, in heavy snow.
2. SafeZone is the easiest way for you to contact Campus Safety & Security – whether it's an emergency, you need urgent assistance, or you need to report something.
3. The app’s check-in and check-in timer functions provide extra reassurance for lone and out-of-hours working.

To get the maximum benefit from using the app, read SafeZone’s FAQ on . 

What area does SafeZone cover?

SafeZone works in ‘regions’ and has been set up to cover our main campus, residences and the Advanced Manufacturing Group (AMG) site. You can find the areas covered by either viewing the or, within the SafeZone app, by tapping 'Regions' in the menu or the map icon located at the top right of the screen.

Outside our designated regions, SafeZone connects you to local emergency services (999 equivalent) worldwide. If you’re visiting another СŷÊÓƵ using SafeZone, you can enable direct communication with their security team by signing up to the SafeZone Alliance.  

How SafeZone works

Check out our quick (СŷÊÓƵ login required)

Push notifications

When it would be used: To alert you of major incidents, for example: sudden closures of campus, extreme weather, security incidents, terrorist attacks.

Why it’s useful: SafeZone is the quickest and most reliable mass communication system we can use to contact you in an emergency. Other channels we use include SMS and email. An SMS could take 15 to 20 minutes to reach you, and only to those who have registered up-to-date personal mobile numbers in MUSE. An email could take over an hour to reach everyone.

How it works: If there is a major incident on campus, the SafeZone mobile notification comes through instantly.

What else do you need to know: When phone lines or email servers are overloaded, a push notification is the only form of notification that will be received instantly. If you’ve ever tried to send a text in a city centre on New Year’s Eve, you’ll know what that means.

Tip: Always ensure your mobile number is updated in your staff or student record. Students can update via the Student Hub's All Services link, and staff via communication preferences in their myJob/myTeam/e-Recruitment personal profile on MUSE.

First Aid, Help and Emergency buttons

When to use it: Use the green First Aid button for minor medical or mental health help, the red Emergency button for urgent threats, or the blue Help button for non-urgent campus security assistance.

Why it’s useful: The buttons automatically contact Campus Safety & Security and share your location for urgent assistance, if you’re within our designated regions. If you’re outside these regions, it will prompt you to contact emergency services.

How it works: One press of a button – First Aid, Help or Emergency – engages a timer. You have five seconds to cancel the alert timer. After five seconds, SafeZone will automatically contact Campus Safety & Security and share your live location with them. In an emergency, quickly tap the button five times to skip the countdown.

What else do you need to know: Read more about where SafeZone works. 

Check-in

When to use it: When you’re working alone on campus or out-of-hours.

Why it’s useful: Provides the extra reassurance that someone knows where you are in these situations.

How it works: When within our designated regions, checking in shares your location with Campus Safety & Security, who will only contact you if there's a safety concern or issue related to the building you’re in.

What else do you need to know: Only Campus Safety & Security sees your location when you manually check in on the app.  Location sharing stops when you check out or leave the area covered by our designated regions.

Check-in timer

When to use it: When working alone or out-of-hours and engaging in a higher risk activity. That could be a lab experiment or it could be walking from your office to your car or public transport stop down a dark street.

Why it’s useful: This feature allows Campus Safety & Security to come to your precise location and check that you’re ok if you don’t manually stop the timer. The timer works automatically, even if your phone is out of battery or damaged beyond repair.

How it works: You set a timer with notes about your location and any potential risks. If the timer expires before you cancel or reset it, Campus Safety & Security are alerted with your information. If we can't reach you by message or phone call, we'll perform a safety check at your location.

What else do you need to know: Only Campus Safety & Security sees your location and notes. If your timer expires outside our designated regions, they might notify the police. Learn more about the check-in timer.

See it? Say it!

When to use: To report any non-urgent incidents on campus that might need Campus Safety & Security to follow up on, such as criminal damage, theft, harassment, hate crimes, or anything suspicious.

Why it's useful: Using the app offers the fastest, simplest way to make a report to Campus Safety & Security, saving you time over calls and emails, and allows for anonymous reporting.

How it works: This option opens a screen where you can report anonymously, share your location, add photos, and include notes, all sent directly to Campus Safety & Security.

What else do you need to know: Read more about incident reporting.

Frequently asked questions

Who can use SafeZone?

SafeZone is for all students and staff, including visiting and honorary. If you're ULaw, Sheffield International College,  visiting /honorary staff and encounter difficulties logging in using your СŷÊÓƵ email address, contact Campus Safety & Security for support - security@sheffield.ac.uk.

How do I download the app?

• Search for SafeZone and download it from or . The creator of the app is CriticalArc Pty Ltd.
• Log in using your СŷÊÓƵ credentials
• Follow the prompts to set up your account

Newer Huawei devices (Mate 30 Series, Honor 30 Series and P40 Series, and later) are not supported due to restrictions on Huawei's ability to use Google apps and services.

To get the maximum benefit from using the app, read SafeZone's FAQ on .

What information will I be asked for?

• Name: Use your real name. This helps to ensure security can identify you if you need help
• Phone number: Provide your mobile number. If you are signing up for the first time on an iPad or tablet, use your mobile number (even if that is not a smartphone). In most situations, responders will use this to contact you
• Picture (optional): This will help responders identify you if you are in a crowded location 

Once you’ve signed up, you can open the SafeZone app and update the details in your profile at any time.

How is my privacy protected

SafeZone is GDPR-compliant and privacy-protected. Your location is only shared with Campus Safety & Security or emergency services when you actively choose to share it (requesting help, checking in, or reporting). You control your visibility and can cancel alerts any time. Your location data is used solely for safety purposes, not for management, discipline, or attendance checks.

Under GDPR, we are also prohibited from sharing your data with family members, guardians, or next or kin. We would only release data if forced to do so by a legal warrant from the police.

Are there accessible options for getting help if I can't use the SafeZone app?

Absolutely. The app provides screen reader support for visually impaired users. The app will also work on tablets with an internet connection. You can also contact Campus Safety & Security by phone: +44 114 222 4085 for non-emergency situations and +44 114 222 4444 for emergencies.

What can I do if I need further help setting up or using SafeZone?

Take a look at or contact support@criticalarc.com to get help installing and configuring the app.

You can also contact the (СŷÊÓƵ log-in required).