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U-M COVID-19 Response

Student Life

Student Safety Tips

TIPS FOR STUDENTS

FIRE SAFETY TIPS

  1. In case of fire: Plan and practice two escape routes out of every room in preparation for any emergency. If your clothes catch on fire, immediately STOP, DROP and ROLL. If you must escape through smoke, crawl to the nearest safe exit. Get out immediately – do not stop for personal items or to call for help. Notify others as you leave by knocking on doors and yelling, “FIRE!” Get to a safe location outside the building, and then call 911 if you are able.
  2. Smoke detectors save lives: Smoke detectors warn you of a fire in time for you to escape, so do not ignore them. Do not remove the batteries for any other use, or if you are annoyed by the alarm. Be sure to test your smoke detectors monthly and replace batteries as instructed.
  3. Use electricity safely: If an appliance starts smoking, has an unusual smell, or causes a fuse to blow, unplug it immediately – it may be malfunctioning and should be repaired. Replace any frayed or cracked electrical cords. Take care not to overload outlets with multiple outlet adapters and extension cords. Avoid running cords under carpets or rugs. Remember that a blown fuse is a warning the electrical system is overloaded or an appliance is malfunctioning.
  4. Cooking precautions: Never leave cooking unattended, and always use a timer or alarm when cooking. Never put foils or other metals in microwave ovens. Do not put papers, boxes, plastic or anything other than cookware on gas/electric burners and be cautious when wearing loose-fitting clothing around the burners. Do not use water on grease or electrical fires.
  5. Take care when smoking: Carelessly discarded cigarettes are the leading cause of fire deaths in the U.S. Never smoke in bed or while you are drowsy because dropped embers may start fires. Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers and do not empty them until absolutely certain that any smoldering embers have been thoroughly extinguished.
  6. Commonly used items: Be sure to clean out dryer lint often and do not let mail stack up, as these items easily catch fire. Do not place grills on wooden porches or under overhangs, where fires may start. Upholstered furniture, trash receptacles, and trash are very flammable and should not be left on or near porches. Do not leave halogen lamps unattended near flammable objects or cover lamps with fabric or paper for decorative purposes. Portable space heaters also must be kept at least three feet away from anything potentially flammable, and never leave space heaters on when you leave home or go to bed.
  7. Candles are an open flame: Place candles on sturdy holders that will not tip or burn and position them far away from curtains and other flammable items. Never leave burning candles unattended and contain candles within glass receptacles if possible. In emergencies such as power outages, use flashlights, which are safer and more dependable.
  8. Fire extinguishers are a handy precaution: Keep a small, inexpensive fire extinguisher on hand at all times. Most apartment buildings are equipped with hallway fire extinguishers, but it is a good idea to invest in your own personal one. An “ABC” dry chemical extinguisher can be used on any kind of fire. These can be purchased at Meijer, Target, Walmart, or most hardware stores.
  9. If you smell natural gas: Gas leaks are a serious fire safety hazard. If you smell gas, avoid any open flames. Do not turn electrical switches on or off, or light matches or cigarettes. Open windows and doors to air out your home, and then get out. Call your gas utility supplier and/or the fire department from an outside phone and let them know that there is a gas leak. Do not reenter your home until your utility supplier has checked and fixed the problem.
  10. Protecting personal belongings: It is a good idea to obtain renter’s insurance if belongings are not already covered by your parent’s insurance policy, because landlord’s insurance will not usually reimburse tenant(s) for personal property destroyed by fire or other hazards. Renter’s insurance can be easily obtained from many local insurance agencies and is relatively inexpensive.

PARTY TIPS

Here are some recommendations from Student Legal Services to help minimize risk when hosting a party:

  • Be considerate of neighbors. Talk to them prior to your event and agree on how to communicate if issues come up.
  • Monitor how much people are drinking and encourage everyone to Stay in the Blue!
  • Make sure those under 21 are not drinking.
  • Control the noise level.
  • Be polite to the police.
  • Leave your drinks behind when you leave a party.
  • Use bathrooms not bushes.
  • Use trash containers, not the ground.
  • Provide food and non-alcoholic beverages for your guests.

Things NOT to do:

  • Don’t walk in the streets with open alcohol.
  • Don’t allow drunk people to drive.
  • Don’t play loud music or create noise that disturbs your neighbors between 10 PM and 7 AM. It is unlawful to create, permit or continue to permit any noise that disturbs the health, peace and safety of others.
  • Don’t lose control of the size of your event - your guests should not block public sidewalks or streets.

Consequences of these violations involve a wide range of criminal penalties, depending on the severity of the infraction. Penalties include, but are not limited to:

  • Fines and court costs
  • Probation
  • Community service
  • Drivers license restrictions, suspensions, or revocation
  • Criminal conviction
  • Imprisonment

FAN BEHAVIOR TIPS

Be a positive fan. Avoid the use of foul language, obscene gestures/messages, and threats.

Don’t be a bystander. If one of your friends gets carried away, use your influence to discourage their inappropriate behavior.

Enjoy the game without alcohol or other drugs. Inebriated guests ruin the experience of others around them and may risk removal from athletic events.

Keep personal belongings to yourself. Do not throw, project, or drop any object that could cause injury in the spectator or playing area.

Remain in designated seating areas. Do not enter onto the playing area before, during, or after the game.

U-M is smoke-free. Observe the no-smoking regulation in and around athletic venues.

Respect athletic officials and law enforcement. Follow the instructions of law enforcement personnel. In the case of an emergency, remain seated until instructed otherwise and listen to announcements.

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN RESOURCES

Department of Public Safety

The University of Michigan Department of Public Safety (DPS) is a full-service law enforcement agency. University Police Officers patrol all campus buildings and grounds, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. DPS officers have the authority to investigate, search, arrest and use reasonable force as necessary to protect persons and property and to enforce the laws of the State of Michigan and the Ordinance of the Regents of the University of Michigan. DPS has a cooperative relationship and works very closely with the Ann Arbor Police Department and the other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in matters of mutual concern.

  • For Police, Fire, and Medical Emergencies… 9-1-1
  • For non-emergencies….. (734) 763-1131
  • For more information, visit campus police

View the DPS Annual Security Report online.

Laptop Computer Registration: Laptops and other portable electronic devices are easy targets for theft. The University of Michigan Department of Public Safety offers a free Laptop Registration Program to members of the campus community to deter theft or assist in the recovery of stolen property. For more information and to register your laptop or other electronic devices, visit https://dpss.umich.edu/content/services/property-protection/register-personal-property/.

U-M Emergency Alert is a mass, urgent notification system by which the University can notify students, faculty and staff of an active, major campus emergency. Alert messages can be received in the form of a text message to cell phones, a voice message to phones, or an email. In order to receive these alert messages, students, faculty, and staff may register via Wolverine Access and select their delivery mode preference. For more information, visit https://www.dpss.umich.edu/content/emergency-preparedness/emergency-alerts/

Housing Security is a unit of University Housing responsible for security, access control, and fire safety in University Housing owned and controlled properties. Professionally trained security officers are on-duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Responsibilities include several rounds per night through residence halls and Northwood apartment complexes, handling resident inquiries and complaints, conducting ongoing safety and security education, and responding to requests for emergency assistance.

  • For non-emergencies… (734) 764-6185

CITY OF ANN ARBOR

The Ann Arbor Police Department (AAPD) is a full-service law enforcement agency that serves the city of Ann Arbor including the off-campus areas of the University of Michigan.

The Ann Arbor Fire Department (AAFD) provides emergency services including fire suppression, vehicle extrication, medical response, hazardous materials, water/ice rescue and technical rescue, as well as fire prevention, inspection, and public education services.

City of Ann Arbor Housing Bureau. All residential rental properties must be registered with the City of Ann Arbor Housing Bureau and inspected once every 30 months.Tenants may also request inspections more frequently based on specific complaints or problems. To submit an inspection request, contact the City of Ann Arbor Housing Inspection Unit at (734) 794-6267 and select Option 3.