Fire Safety

Fire safety in the residence halls is paramount. Residents play a key role in keeping our community safe. Please keep in mind the following restrictions and guidelines. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the residence life staff.

1. Appliances:
   1. Restricted appliances/electronics: Open coil, grease-burning and high-heat appliances (like electric skillets); lava lamps, halogen lamps, air-conditioning units and space heaters are not allowed anywhere in the residence halls. Electric hotplates, woks, toaster ovens and immersion coils are only allowed in kitchens.
   2. Permitted appliances: Coffee pots and microwaves that are UL approved may be used provided the resident is present during use. Rice cookers (also UL approved) may only be used in lounges. (The added humidity in resident rooms can cause mold issues.)
2. Open Flames: Candles may be used for decoration but never lit. Burning incense is never permitted.
3. Lighting: Halogen lamps and paper lamp shades are never allowed.
4. Extension Cords: Don't plug extension cords into surge protectors, or vice versa. Do not use extension cords longer than six feet.
5. Christmas Lights and Trees: Hang Christmas lights no lower than the top of the entry door, do not hang with thumbtacks, and use a maximum of three strands per outlet. Live Christmas trees or boughs are never allowed.
6. Explosives: Smoke bombs, fireworks (including sparklers and firecrackers), and flammable and/or combustible liquids (including art supplies such as thinners, varnishes, etc.) are never permitted.
7. Smoke Detectors: Never tamper with smoke detectors.
8. Walkways, Walls, Ceilings, etc.:
   1. Never leave any items (including shoes, door mats and laundry) in hallways or stairwells. All hallways and stairwells are fire exits and must always be kept clear.
   2. Posters, butcher paper, fabric wall, etc. may not cover more than 10% of the wall and are never allowed on the ceilings. Curtains must be fire retardant.
   3. Maintain at least 36" clearance of combustibles in front of fire places.
9. Exit Signage: At no time may anything block exit lights/signage. Never cover overhead lights.
10. General Safety:
    1. Do not run electrical cords through doorways or windows.
    2. Always stay in the kitchen when cooking, especially when microwaving popcorn or using a stove burner.
    3. Do not modify building fixtures. Light dimmers, ceiling fans, or any other device that replaces, adds to or interferes with any building fixture is prohibited.