Safety Tips

Personal Safety l Fire Safety l Fire Safety Tips

Personal Safety

When walking or jogging:

• Go with someone
• Stay away from isolated areas
• Try to stay near street lights
• Be aware of your surroundings

If you're being followed:

• Cross the street or change directions
• Keep looking back so the person knows you can't be surprised
• Go to a well lighted area. If on campus, contact Campus Security
• Notice and remember as much as possible of the person, for further description

In your residence hall room:

• Lock your residence hall room door when leaving it unattended even if for only a few minutes. Keep your door locked while you are sleeping.
• Never leave cash or change on a desk. Keep your purse, keys, wallet and valuables with you or locked away.
• Mark any personal items with initials or identification numbers.
• Do not prop open exterior doors to residence halls once they are locked.
• Notify Campus Security immediately about suspicious activity, persons or vehicles on campus.

Protect your car:

• Lock your car and take the keys
• Lock valuables in the trunk
• Park in well lit areas

Fire Safety

Saint Joseph 's College takes fire safety seriously. According to FEMA, there are 1700 fires on college campuses annually.  It is important for campus community members to be aware of Fire Safety rules to help ensure their own safety and the safety of others on campus. 

Fire Procedures
When the fire alarm sounds:

ALWAYS ASSUME THAT IT IS A REAL FIRE WHENEVER AN ALARM SOUNDS. DO NOT IGNORE AN ALARM! ALL PERSONS MUST EVACUATE THE BUILDING IMMEDIATELY WHEN A FIRE ALARM SOUNDS AND NOT RE-ENTER THE BUILDING UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OR SECURITY DIRECTS YOU TO DO SO. 

Failure to evacuate during any fire alarm will result in a $150 fine and any additional sanctions. Students who have multiple offenses may result in increased fine and more severe disciplinary actions.

If you see a fire, pull the fire alarm nearest you
Leave the building via the safest evacuation route
Once outside, immediately report to the Heffernan Center Foyer. If the fire alarm in Heffernan sounds, immediately report to the Alfond Center. Fire evacuation routes and procedures are posted in each residential area.

Fire Policies
Fires of any size are not allowed anywhere on campus.

All appliances must be UL approved.

No open burner items are permitted (toaster, toaster ovens, hot plates, George-Foreman type grills, open flame units).

No candles and any items that could be burned (incense, oil lamps) are permitted.Certain decorations, such as fishnet and incense, are prohibited. No more than 50 percent of wall space can be covered. No electrical outlets/fixtures can be covered. Nothing is permitted to be hung from ceiling or sprinkler pipes. 

All buildings and all adjacent building entrances or areas adjacent to these buildings are smoke free up to 30 feet from the building.

Any individual or group involved in tampering with fire equipment (smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, pull stations,etc) will be immediately removed from campus housing. If the person(s) responsible cannot be identified, the residents of the floor/area will be billed a minimum of $250 fine through the damage billing process. 

Fire Safety Tips

The following tips are helpful in preventing fires, and also in helping to prevent injury/death in the event of a fire.

• Always be aware of each exit in each building.
• Never block an exit with furniture (including windows and doors).
• Candles are prohibited in residence halls for your safety.
• Never re-enter a building after a fire alarm until of member of Security or the Fire Department directs you to do so.
• Do not cover or tamper with fire devices (including smoke and heat detectors, fire extinguishers, strobes, etc.).
• Do not overload electrical outlets.
• In the event of a fire, stay low to the floor.

Other Helpful Links
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Center for Campus Fire Safety
Town of Standish Fire/EMS