PERSONAL SAFETY OFF-CAMPUS ❑ Keep your doors locked, as most burglaries involve unlocked doors. ❑ Keep first floor, fire escape and other accessible windows closed and locked. ❑ Be aware of strangers in your building. If someone you don’t know asks to use your phone, offer to make the call, but do not let him or her in. ❑ Have the local police telephone number programmed in your cell phone and posted near all landline telephones in case of emergency, and be sure to report any obscene or harassing phone calls. ❑ Never loan anyone your key.
❑ Nonresidents - even close friends - do not have the same level of concern for the security of your home. If keys are lost or stolen, report the loss immediatey to the police and change your locks. ❑ Never reveal to a visitor or telephone caller that you are alone. When there is a visitor at the door, call out in a loud voice, “I’ll answer it!” to imply you are not alone. ❑ Do not use your first name on mailboxes or in phone directories. Use your first initial only. ❑ Remember, you are responsible for the conduct of your guests while they are present in your building.
❑ Always escort your guests in and out of the building. ❑ Be aware of deserted laundry rooms, common lounges, basements, parking garages and elevators, especially late at night. ❑ Do not let someone into your house/unit you don’t know. ❑ Avoid walking alone at night. ❑ Take advantage of campus escort services. Call Public Safety St. Paul (651) 962-5100, or in Minneapolis, (651) 962-4100, to request a walking escort up to six blocks off campus.
OFF-CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY It is most important to prevent fires from happening.
❑ Use power strips with breakers. Do not overload outlets.
❑ Watch your cooking. Stay in the kitchen while frying, broiling or grilling food.
❑ Be careful when using candles or incense. Keep them away from combustibles. Extinguish them when you leave the room or go to sleep.
❑ Ask smokers to go outside. Have sturdy, deep ashtrays. Avoid using potted plants for butting cigarettes. ❑ Keep decorative lighting away from combustibles. Turn off lights when you leave or go to bed. ❑ Ensure there are working smoke alarms in and near sleeping areas. Test them monthly. Replace batteries twice annually. Replace smoke alarms after 10 years.
❑ Give space heaters space. Keep them at least 3 feet from anything that can burn. Before moving in to any rental housing make sure you will be protected from fire.
❑ Make sure you have two exits from bedrooms including basements used as sleeping areas. A legal exit or “egress” is one that is a minimum area of 5.7 square feet, is 24” x 20” dimension, and has a sill height of 48” or less above the floor. ❑ Have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Know how to use it. ❑ Make sure the building has a current “Certificate of Occupancy.” To check, go to www.stpaul.gov/dsi, scroll to the bottom of page and click “Property and Permit Information,” or call (651) 266-8989.
❑ Check for working carbon monoxide detectors located within 10 feet of any sleeping area.
FIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
ST. PAUL FIRE DEPARTMENT
www.campus-firewatch.com
www.stpaul.gov/fire
ST. PAUL DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND INSPECTIONS
www.stpaul.gov/dsi
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RENTER RESOURCES