1. Stay calm.
2. Always sound the building fire alarm immediately. If the alarm fails to operate, warn other occupants by knocking on doors and shouting warnings.
3. Call 911 from a safely located phone. Give as much information as possible to the dispatcher. Do not assume that someone else has already notified the University Police. The University Police will immediately notify the Fire Department and dispatch officers to the scene. Do not hang up until told to do so by the dispatcher.
4. Before opening the door, feel it with the back of your hand. If it is hot, do the following:
   (if it is not hot, go to step 5)
   • Do not open the windows, unless you are having trouble breathing.
   • Seal cracks around the door with towels, tape, bed clothing or similar items to keep out the smoke.
   • If you are trapped, hang a sheet, jacket, shirt or other object out the window that will attract attention. Shout for help. Call the University Police on the phone and tell them that you are unable to get out of your room. The University Police will be in direct radio contact with officers at the fire. Remain calm until firefighters reach you from the hallway or window. Their first duty upon arriving at a fire is to search for persons trapped in the burning building.
5. If you are able to leave the room, do so immediately and:
   • Take your key with you in case you are forced to return. Close all doors behind you as you exit. This will retard the spread of smoke and lessen damage.
   • Go to the nearest exit or stairway. DO NOT USE AN ELEVATOR.
   • If smoke, heat or fire blocks your exit, go to an alternate exit.
   • If all exits from a floor are blocked go back to your room and follow the procedures described above in 4.
6. If smoke is present keep low to the floor. Take short breaths to avoid inhaling any more smoke than necessary.
7. Leave the building immediately. When the University Police and/or firefighters arrive, direct them to the fire.
8. After exiting the building, do not congregate at or around the building exits. Follow the directions of University Police and firefighters. DO NOT REENTER THE BUILDING FOR ANY REASON UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS DECLARED IT SAFE.

Illinois and Evanston laws require regular fire drills in dormitories, Fraternities and Sororities. They are conducted regularly to familiarize residents with the sound of the fire alarm, emergency exits, and procedures for evacuating the building.

You must respond to the drill and abide by the established procedures. Resident Assistants and Hall Coordinators are responsible for seeing that students are familiar with fire drill procedures.

TORNADO PROCEDURE

Emergency services personnel from the City of Evanston keep a watchful eye on weather conditions and warn the populace of impending tornadoes. Civil Defense sirens will sound a continuous three-minute unwavering blast in the event a tornado has been sighted and the National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning. University Police will also receive notice of the warning by way of their State Police communications connection. In the event of a tornado warning, residents should take the following steps:

1. If inside a building, go to an interior hallway or other enclosed area on a lower floor and away from windows.
2. Avoid auditoriums, gymnasiums or other large rooms where roof collapse may be more likely to happen.
3. In wood frame buildings, go to the basement or seek shelter under heavy furniture.
4. If you are outside when the siren sounds, seek shelter indoors, preferably in a steel-framed or reinforced building of substantial construction.
   
   AVOID WINDOWS

1. Stay away from trees. Seek shelter inside and away from windows. Close drapes or other window coverings.
2. Turn off and unplug electrical appliances.
3. To avoid electrical shock do not use or come in contact with plumbing fixtures.

1. Survey your area for conditions that would pose hazards in an earthquake.
2. In the event of an earthquake, "duck, cover, and hold" and when the initial shock is over leave the building. Do not go back into the building until it is cleared for reentry.

Air Conditioners
The installation of air conditioners is prohibited.

Appliances
Evanston housing code forbids the use or storage in rooms of stoves, hot plates, coffee pots or other appliances for cooking or heating food or beverages, whether connected or not. In addition, other heat producing appliances such as irons may not be used in sleeping rooms. Refrigerators with interiors larger than three cubic feet are prohibited. For safety, unplug all appliances when not in use.

Arson
By Illinois law, a person commits aggravated arson when by means of fire or explosive, he or she knowingly damages, partially or totally, any building, and he or she knows or reasonably should know that one or more persons are present therein. Aggravated arson is a Class "X" felony. Imprisonment of not less than 6 years, without probation, must be sentenced upon conviction.

Bicycles
Bicycles may not be stored in any area of a residence hall other than in areas specifically designated for such use or in the owner's room. Bicycles parked in common areas, stairwells, attached to handrails, furniture or otherwise impeding egress from a building will be removed at the bicycle owner's expense. All bicycles left lying on grassed areas or blocking entrances, sidewalks, stairways, passageways, or found chained to stair, hand or porch railings, or found inside University buildings will be impounded.

Combustible Materials
Excessive storage of combustible material in rooms is not allowed. Store combustible materials in a safe place away from heat sources. Storage of combustible materials in attics, furnace rooms, hallways, stairwells, or rooms used for electrical equipment is prohibited.

Decorations
Hanging blankets, rugs, fishnets or other draping are not permitted. Combustible decorations must not be put on ceilings, in entryways, on doors or near heat sources such as radiators or light bulbs. The building or installation of "lofts" shall be done only in conformance with rules and guidelines established by the Vice President for Student Affairs. All University furnishings and fixtures must always remain in assigned rooms.

During the holidays there is an increased use of decorations, everyone should be more alert to potential hazards. No natural trees or branches are permitted. Only artificial trees are acceptable. Tree lights should be Underwriters Laboratories approved.

Doors
All room doors should always be locked, especially when residents are not in the room. Required stairway fire doors shall be kept closed at all times.

Electrical
Multiple-plug outlet converters used for electrical appliances drawing more than the allowed amperage from the outlet are prohibited. Excessive numbers of appliances shall not be plugged into an outlet. Damaged or overloaded extension cords are prohibited. The use of extension cords, as permanent wiring is not allowed.

Exit Paths
Do not block exits. Arrange all furniture to provide a clear, unobstructed path to all exit doors. All exit doors, interior doors, exitways and other means of egress shall be kept clean of all materials, such as posters, papers and other combustibles.

Fire Drills
All occupants of a residence hall must leave the building during a fire exit drill.

Fire Equipment
Fire alarm systems in University buildings automatically transmit alarms to the University Police. Tampering with fire alarm equipment and/or extinguisher devices or using them for other purposes is prohibited. Sounding a false fire alarm is a violation of City and State law and will result in removal from University housing and other possible sanctions. Playing of games or other activities that could cause a false alarm or obstruct emergency egress are prohibited.

Fire Escapes
A fire escape is for emergency exiting of the building only. Storage of any kind on a fire escape is prohibited.

Flammable Liquids
Flammable and toxic liquids or materials are not allowed in sleeping rooms.

Halogen Lamps
Halogen floor lamps have been the cause of a number of serious fires on college campuses across the United States. Therefore, only halogen floor lamps manufactured after February 1997 should be used. Use only lamps have been tested by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and have been fitted with glass or wire bulb guards. Take the time to look for the UL approval label and read all safety information that accompanies the lamp.

• Purchase lamps with bulbs of 300 watts or less.
• Never place any materials on top of the lamps.
• Never place a lamp near an open window, where a strong breeze could blow drapery or window treatments onto the bulb area.
• Avoid placing lamps where they could be easily tipped over.
• Keep lamps away from bunk beds where bedding materials could get too close to the bulb area.
• Always turn a halogen lamp off when leaving a room.
• Never replace a bulb with one of a higher wattage or different design.
• Never operate a lamp with missing or damaged components.

Open Flames, etc.
Lighted candles, fireworks, explosives and incendiary devices are prohibited. The possession or use of firearms or other weapons of any description and for any purpose is prohibited.

Fireplaces are not to be used in residence halls.

Operation of Bicycles and Rollerblades
Bicycling and rollerblading is not allowed in University buildings. When bicycling or rollerblading on sidewalks, or along crosswalks and paths, the right-of-way shall be yielded to pedestrians and an audible signal given before overtaking or passing. In addition, bicyclists and rollerbladers must act and operate as pedestrians.

Roofs or Decks
Residents are prohibited from entering onto roofs or decks through any window, from using ladders, or other equipment or means to gain access, and from being present on roofs or decks for any purpose. Furniture of any kind is not allowed on roofs or decks. There shall be no physical activity or games of any kind allowed on roofs or decks.

Smoke Detectors
The tampering with or covering of a smoke detector is prohibited. It is a violation of City and State law and will result in removal from University housing and other possible sanctions.

Smoking
Smoking in residence halls is prohibited.

Vehicles or Combustion Engine/Generators
No motorcycle or combustion engine/generator is allowed in any area of any residence hall for storage or for any other purpose.