Emergencies & Personal Safety
Staying safe
The campus has 24-hour security to help ensure the safety of our residents and students. Residence buildings offer additional security Thursdays through Saturdays, as well as during exam periods.
The friendly nature of Residence might mean you don't pay as much attention to your own personal safety as you should. Here are some important safety tips to remember:
- Don't prop doors open. If you find one propped open, close it.
- Don't lend your keys/keycard out to friends.
- Report lost or stolen keys/card immediately to the residence office.
- Don't keep money, wallets, valuables or jewellery lying out.
- Don't leave your room unlocked, even to go to the washroom.
- Don't let people you don't know into your residence.
- Develop a buddy system to go shopping, to walk to and from class, etc.
- Know the location of the emergency phones in your area.
- Let your fellow residents know where you are going.
Fire safety
- Activate the fire alarm if you detect a fire in a building.
- Exit by the nearest stairway.
- Call the Dal Security emergency number, 4109, or use a Blue Light Phone to notify emergency personnel.
- Learn the locations of the emergency exits and fire equipment.
- Always exit the building in the event of a fire alarm.
Personal insurance for your belongings
Purchasing personal insurance for your belongings is up to you. The university is not liable, directly or indirectly, for theft or loss of personal property due to fire, water, or any other cause. Therefore, just like for an apartment, you are encouraged to have your own insurance against loss or damage to personal property. You might be covered under your parents' home policy while living in residence. Be sure to check that out before you arrive.
Alarms and evacuations
- 贰惫补肠耻补迟颈辞苍:听Your RA will review evacuation procedures with you. They are also posted on the back of your residence room door. During any alarm, you must exit the building. Failure to evacuate could result in Residence Code of Conduct violation outcomes or criminal charges by Halifax Fire.
- Drills: Fire drills will be conducted in your residence hall to help you become familiar with evacuation procedures.
- Fire alarm pull stations:聽Each floor in each residence building is equipped with manual fire alarm pull stations, as well as automatic heat and smoke detector systems.
- False alarms: False, malicious or prank alarms aren鈥檛 tolerated and result in disciplinary action. Fire pull stations in each building are equipped with dye to reduce instances of tampering.
- Exits: Do not block the exits鈥攖hey will be the access point for Fire Department officials to enter and exit.
- Posted information:聽Each residence has an evacuation sheet, fire procedures, fire exits, and the location of fire extinguishers/pull station alarms posted.
- Laws and regulations:聽黄色直播 residences are governed by the laws and regulations of the Province of Nova Scotia as enforced by the Office of the Fire Marshall. Violations of these laws and regulations may result in criminal charges.
Building security and access
One of the most effective safeguards is our own 鈥淣o Tailgating/Buddy鈥 system.
As a resident, you are expected to report:
- anyone from outside the residence who is hanging around in the building
- anyone selling anything within the building
- anyone who tampers with fire and electrical equipment or locks
- anyone who uses fire doors as exits鈥攐r props them open
- anyone who has explosive materials, guns, weapons, barbeques or space heaters
Right of entry to residence rooms
Residence or university staff (including RAs, facilities staff, security, etc.) have the right to enter your room in the following situations:
- in an emergency where the health, safety or security of the residence building or a resident is involved
- when residence or university staff has reasonable grounds to believe that the聽Residence Code of Conduct聽is being violated (this can include possession of weapons, illegal substances or alcohol)
- for the purpose of cleaning, maintenance or inspections
- when you鈥檝e provided a Maintenance Request Form (MRF) to do something in your room
Notice of entry will be given in advance, whenever possible.
Notice of Entry Procedure
To enter your residence room, staff will follow these steps:
- Knock on the door, and wait.
- Knock on the door, announce who they are and that they will be opening the door with a key.
- Knock on the door while entering the room.
We won鈥檛 let friends and family go into your room to get personal items that may be left behind. It is also important that you do not leave items in each other鈥檚 rooms. Exceptions may be made if personal safety and wellness are involved鈥攁nd only with your permission. 聽
Lost keys
If you lose your keys, you have to pay a replacement fee. If you find the lost keys after the door has been re-barreled, you can get refunded for the front door key.
Emergency phones
Pay phones and courtesy phones are located in all residence lounges and on campus. They can be used to contact security by dialing 4109 (no change required). In addition, we recommend downloading the DalSafe app! This app allows you to access security services, tiger patrol and more from your mobile device.
Your privacy
To protect your privacy, we can鈥檛 release any information regarding your whereabouts鈥攅ven to your parents or friends.
For the Residence Office to be able to provide others with your phone number, room number or any other information about you,聽you need to sign a Personal Information Release Form (PIRF). Normally students fill this out when they accept their room offer. If you would like to change the status of your PIRF throughout the year, please contact the聽Residence Office.