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Student Activities Center/
Office of Grad Life
Student and Academic Support Services
800 21st Street NW
Marvin Center 427
Washington, DC 20052
Phone: 202-994-GRDS
Fax: 202-994-6102
gradlife@gwu.edu

Safety & Security Issues for Off-Campus Living

Most students living off campus rent apartments or group houses and as a consequence, live in group-living situations somewhat similar to residence hall life on campus. As with residence hall living, two of the major concerns in off-campus housing are security breaches and life safety hazards. However, since off-campus residents are without University Police personnel and Residence Hall staff, they must bear greater responsibility for their own safety. If you are an off-campus resident, you must be much more aware of possible dangers than those who live on campus.
Locks & Alarms

Security breaches can usually be prevented with the use of adequate door locks and window latches. Nevertheless, the best lock in the world cannot prevent entry of an unwanted person intent on theft or bodily harm if the lock is left unlocked. All off-campus residents should make certain that they have adequate locks and latches and should be diligent in their use. Additionally, several kinds of local door alarms are available commercially at reasonable. cost. Such alarms can alert a resident to the entry of a thief or other unwanted person. The local emergency number to summon law enforcement officials and fire fighters should be posted on or near each telephone in the apartment or house.

Crime Watch
Locks, latches, and alarms can help prevent crimes, but they are not the only line of defense. Security awareness is also important. Many communities in the metropolitan area have developed successful "crime watch' groups. These groups depend on local inhabitants who report suspicious person or activities to the proper authorities. Many such groups post "crime watcher" signs to discourage potential intruders.

Fire Precautions
Fire prevention is vitally important in off-campus living. Monthly tests of fire alarm systems and routine checks and servicing of fire extinguishers are performed in campus residence halls, but such care is often neglected in apartment buildings and private residences. All residence halls have sprinkler systems while most apartment buildings and private houses have none.


Potential fuel for fire can be limited in private homes by good housekeeping practices. All clothing, wood, and other combustibles should be stored away from sources of ignition such as open flames, matches, and heated objects. Cigarettes and matches are the major causes of fires, but in homes, stoves and candies are also high on the list of potential fire sources. Sparks from electric motors and defective electrical equipment also constitute sources of ignition. Play it safe with any potential ignition source.

Be certain that your living unit has a fire extinguisher mounted in a readily accessible place. If you have only one extinguisher, make certain that it is a multipurpose dry chemical type. If you have a kitchen, the extinguisher should be mounted near the kitchen entrance. Also, make certain that you have at least one functioning smoke alarm because smoke may be the first warning of a fire. Consider this: smoke kills more people than heat in building fires.

Toxic Substances in the Home

Some individuals regard toxic substances as someone else's problem, but the problem belongs to everyone. Many toxic substances exist innocently enough in the home. Toxic household chemicals can include highly flammable substances, caustic compounds, deadly poisons, and carcinogenic agents.

Unfortunately, product ingredients are not always listed on containers. The Federal Government allows a product to be labeled "non-toxic" if the death rate for laboratory animals ingesting or inhaling the product is less than 50 percent. While the Consumer Products Safety Commission and other governmental agencies are attempting to change the law, many potentially deadly products are still available on the market. Always read the label on a product and follow the manufacturer's instructions for safe use.

Regardless of the label, any product which may contain potentially harmful chemicals should be handled with the following precautions:

1. Follow instructions. Do not overuse a product.

2. Don't leave containers open. Seal the product container when you have finished with it.

3. Clean up and dispose of contaminated cloths and rags, preferably in closed containers.

4. Keep products in their original containers.

5. Use volatile substances in well-ventilated areas only.

6. Whenever necessary, wear protective gloves and clothing.

7. Treat all insecticides with extreme caution.

8. Keep products out of the reach of children and pets.

Don't wait until something unfortunate occurs. Think ahead about security breaches and life safety hazards. Plan now to be safe and secure in the future.