Security Checklist
- Keep doors and windows locked
- Cover windows completely, blinds curtains etc.
- Never answer the door without knowing whom it is
- Do not give out keys, entry cards or lock combinations
- Use a light timer or leave the radio or TV on if you are not home in the evening
- Call 911 for emergencies
- Park and walk in a well-lit area
- Try not to walk or exercise alone
- Always lock your car
- Always be aware of your surroundings
- Mark and take pictures of your personal possessions
Fire Safety
- Portable heaters can be dangerous if used improperly. Read instructions carefully
- Remember that kerosene heaters are illegal in any multi-unit dwelling.
- Don't leave your cooking unattended.
- Don't overload electrical outlets!
- Store flammables safely.
- Never leave a burning candle unattended
- Never burn a candle near drafts or anything that can catch fire
Required Fire Protection Devices
The Fire Code (Title 5) requires that smoke detectors (certified by a nationally recognized fire testing laboratory) must be installed in all common areas, including basements, in combination with other required alarm systems. They must also be installed outside each sleeping area. It is the landlord's responsibility to install these devices, but the tenant must make sure that the devices are in place, and that they are tested weekly. Make sure you know how to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors! A smoke detector's early warning can provide you with the extra time essential to a successful escape.
Evacuation
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- If you smell smoke or discover a fire, activate the building alarm.
- Know where your fire alarms are located and how they operate and whether or not they actually alert the Fire Department.
- If you hear an alarm, leave at once - do not delay. And close all doors behind you!
- Call 911. Say "I want to report a fire" and give a complete name and address.
- Have an escape plan. Know where the fire exits are, and have two escape routes from each room.
- Accommodate the needs of people who may need help to escape.
- Have a safe place where everyone can meet for a headcount.
- Make sure all residents know the plan, and schedule fire drills at least twice a year.
- Avoid elevators. Use the stairs.
- Feel all doors before opening; if it feels hot, or if smoke is seeping out, DO NOT OPEN IT.
- If you become trapped in your apartment and cannot reach a fire exit, do not panic. Close your door and seal off any cracks with wet towels. If you can, call the Fire Department, give them your name, address and location in the building.
- Open a window for air and signal for help. Do not jump! WAIT for help.
- If in smoke or heat, stay low, where the air is better. Take short, quick breaths through the nose until you reach safety.
Apartment Insurance
If you have items that would be costly to replace, consider getting apartment insurance. The property owner's insurance policy for a rental property does not cover the tenant's personal belongings, nor does it offer the tenant any liability coverage. Students can obtain tenant insurance through their parents' homeowner's insurance policy or through a reputable insurance agent.
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- Keep an inventory of all you possessions
- Photograph the items and store photo off premises
Crime Reports