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CAMPUS
SECURITY
MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
ON-CAMPUS SOLICITORS
PERSONAL SAFETY AND SECURITY
In order to protect our
students, TAMUG has Campus Police on duty 24 hours every day of the year.
They can be alerted to emergencies by calling 9-911 from any campus
phone. If it is a non-emergency,
call the Campus Police office at 740-4445, or their cell phone at 409-682-1086
(you need to dial the area code).
Residents should observe
the following safety tips for enhanced security and safety:
1.
Keep your key with you, or
in a secure place, at all times. Never
leave your key unattended or lend it to others.
2.
Report any problems with
your key or door lock immediately.
3.
NEVER leave doors propped
open via the deadbolt or other means. Always
lock your door when leaving your room, even for “just a second” to check
your laundry, throw out your trash, etc.
4.
If you believe your room
has been accessed unlawfully, report it to Residence Life or Campus Police.
The key system will record any unauthorized attempt and identify the
social security number and card that was used.
5.
Report any suspicious
person(s) or activities to Campus Police, your RA, or Residence Life personnel.
6.
Do not walk or jog
unescorted in unlighted areas or along the roads surrounding the campus at
night.
A heat/smoke detector is
mounted in each room. The device is
critical to early fire warning and can save many lives.
As such, do not hang articles from the detector, cover it with anything,
or attempt to disconnect it in any fashion.
Tampering with the alarm is a violation of state law resulting in
possible fines and jail time. University
disciplinary action will follow. Each resident will be held responsible for any damage to the
heat/smoke detector and will be billed for any repair/replacement cost.
In the wake of recent residence hall
fires and subsequent inspection by the State Fire Marshall's Office, the Housing
Department has begun conducting fire and life safety inspections of all campus
residence halls. These inspections are conducted each semester. The intent of
these inspections is to increase the level of safety and safety awareness for
all occupants of the residence halls. These inspections will include residence
hall rooms and staff offices as well as all mechanical and common areas.
Inspections will begin around the fifth
week of the semester and will continue until all residence halls have been
inspected. All inspections will be conducted between the hours of 10 am and 8 pm
and will be conducted in the presence of a residence hall staff member. Advance
notifications of all inspections will be provided to hall staff. Notices will be
posted on bulletin boards to inform residents, and if you are available, you are
encouraged to be present during the inspections of your room. A follow up
inspection may be necessary if needed changes are noted.
Safety practices in general and the checklist of items noted in this section will be the primary focus of these inspections. Campus Housing and Residence Hall Staff appreciate your cooperation in this effort and will make every effort to minimize inconvenience to occupants during these inspections.
The most frequent safety problems found during room inspections include: candles/incense; prohibited/unapproved appliances; combustible liquids; covered, blocked, or tampered with smoke detectors; overloaded electrical outlets; tapestries/wall hangings placed directly over a bed; egress (exit) blocked; refrigerators and/or microwave ovens plugged into extension cords and not directly into a wall outlet; unsanitary room conditions with excess clothing or paper on the floor; windows obstructed with furniture; and deactivated door closures.
Each building is equipped with a fire
alarm. They are here for your protection; students should not tamper with them.
If a fire alarm sounds, you should:
1.
Quickly put on a coat and
hard-soled shoes.
2.
Take a towel with you to
put over your face to prevent smoke inhalation.
3.
Close your windows.
4.
Check your door or
doorknob. If it is hot, do not open it. If it is cool, exit cautiously and lock
your door. Be sure to take your keys and your University ID Card.
5.
Walk quickly, in an orderly
manner, through the exit for your area and to your designated evacuation
location (posted on the back of your front door)
6.
DO NOT re-enter the
building until you are told to do so by a residence life staff member.
Everyone, including
residence hall personnel, must leave the hall when the alarm sounds.
*WARNING*
Tampering with a fire alarm
device is a Class C Misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine up to $500 or 180
days in jail or both.
Initiating a false alarm is
a Class A Misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of up to $4,000 or one year in
jail or both.
In addition to violating
state law, initiating false alarms and tampering with fire alarm equipment could
jeopardize the safety of all residents in the hall.
Additional Tips in the Event of a Fire
By following the guidelines listed below,
you will have the best chance of surviving a fire with the least amount of
personal injury and property damage.
Know at least two ways to exit from your room. Practice finding
your way with your eyes closed (have someone help you do that). Smoke rises,
so you want to crawl below it. Be prepared to reverse your direction or
return to your room. Keep one hand on the wall in the direction you turn, so
you can keep your orientation.
Memorize landmarks,
such as drinking fountains and bulletin boards. If you do become
disorientated, enter any room that will provide refuge until you are
rescued.
If a fire alarm sounds, exit the building immediately and keep a
safe distance from the building. Prior to leaving your room, feel the
highest portion of your door. If it is hot, do not open it. If it is cool,
brace yourself against the lower portion of the door as you open it. If the
hallway appears safe, take your key with you, close your door, and exit the
building. Follow instructions from hall
staff or emergency personnel.
If you cannot leave your room for safety reasons, block cracks
around the door with wet towels. Call 9-911, giving your name, room number,
and situation. Do not leave your room until you are told it is safe to do
so, fire fighters will evacuate those most in danger, so you may not be
evacuated immediately. If smoke enters your room, lie on the floor for the
freshest air. Open the window
if there is no smoke visible on the outside. Attract attention by dangling a
sheet (daytime) or flashing your room lights (nighttime). If you must break
a window, use a chair and knock out all of the glass to provide the most
ventilation.
If you are the person who discovers a fire, activate a pull
station. When you get to a safe area outside, call 911.
Answering their questions clearly will ensure a quick response from
emergency personnel.
Do not reenter the building until instructed by staff, even though
this may be some time after the fire appears to be out, since the building
has to be inspected. Emergency personnel will secure the building to ensure
the residents' privacy and property security.
By following these
suggestions, you will provide yourself with the best chance of surviving a fire.
Review these tips often, practice your exit routes, and follow good fire
prevention practices to insure you will not have to use these skills.
Calls can range from prank
or anonymous calls to obscene calls. Surprisingly, they don't come just from
strangers. They also come from acquaintances, neighbors, relatives, and business
associates. These calls are generally intended to infuriate or frighten you.
What can you do?
Always use your telephone on your terms. Don't talk to any one
unless you want to.
Ask the caller to identify himself or herself. If you are asked
"Who is this?" or "What number is this?", don't answer.
Instead ask, "What party are you trying to reach?" or "What
number did you call?" If the call isn't legitimate, that should end it.
If it's the kind of caller who remains silent after you answer,
hang up.
Don't give the "breather" a chance to get started. Hang
up.
Take the same action at the first obscene or suggestive remark, or
if the call becomes abusive or profane. What these callers want to hear is
your shocked reaction.
Residents who receive obscene or abusive
calls should contact the University
Police and file a report. Also, report these incidents to your RA or
the Residence Life Office.
* TORNADOES/SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS
Local radio and television
stations announce tornado watches when the weather conditions are right for a
tornado but none have been sighted, tornado warnings when a tornado has been
sighted, and storm alert when a severe thunderstorm is approaching.
Follow these procedures if there is a tornado or storm alert:
Stand clear of windows, exterior walls
and doors.
Move to small interior rooms. (i.e.,
bathrooms, closets, etc.)
Avoid standing near areas which may be
glass enclosed.
If you are unable to move to small
interior rooms, get under something sturdy if possible (i.e., sturdy tables,
desks, etc.)
If time permits, go to the lowest
possible floor and stay with a friend.
Call 9-911 if emergency help is needed
* HURRICANES
Hurricanes are a threat to Galveston Island. Hurricane season generally lasts between June and late September. These storms