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 contact Residence Life staff.

1. Appliances:
   1. Restricted appliances/electronics: Open coil, grease-burning and high-heat appliances (e.g. electric skillets), air-conditioning units, and space heaters are prohibited in the residence halls. 
   2. Permitted appliances: UL approved coffee pots and microwaves are allowed only when the resident is present during use.
   3. Permitted appliances in kitchen only: Electric hotplates, woks, toaster ovens, immersion coils, and UL approved rice cookers are permitted only in the kitchen. 
2. Open Flames: Candles may be used for decoration but never lit. Burning incense is never permitted.
3. Lighting: Halogen lamps, lava lamps, and paper lamp shades are prohibited.
4. Extension Cords: Extension cords cannot be longer than six feet. Don't plug extension cords into surge protectors or vice versa. 
5. Christmas/Fairy Lights: Do not hang Christmas/fairy lights below the doorframe. Do not hang with thumbtacks, and do not plug more than three strands into one outlet.
6. Love Christmas Trees: Live Christmas trees and boughs are never allowed.
7. 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.
8. Smoke Detectors: Never tamper with smoke detectors.
9. Walkways, Walls, Ceilings, etc.:
   1. Never leave items (e.g. shoes, door mats, laundry) in hallways or stairwells. All hallways and stairwells are fire exits and must be kept clear.
   2. Do not cover more than 10% of the wall with posters, butcher paper, fabric wall, etc. You may not hang anything on the ceilings.
   3. Curtains must be fire retardant.
   4. Maintain at least 36" clearance in front of fireplaces.
10. Exit Signage: Never block exit lights/signage, and never cover overhead lights.
11. 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.