What to do in an emergency

Fire safety is an important aspect of living and studying at university, as fire can cause serious harm to people, property, and the environment.

Whilst living in halls you have a responsibility to follow the fire safety rules and procedures.

All of our accommodation contains fire safety equipment throughout, and fire action notes are displayed on the back of your bedroom door and near all the building exits.

Make sure you familiarise yourself with these once you've moved in.

To help keep everyone safe in halls you must:

• Do not tamper with any fire equipment or wedge fire doors open
• Keep all fire escape routes, corridors and hallways clear
  
• Never leave cooking unattended, even if it's just toast
  
• Avoid cooking when tired or under the influence - get a takeaway instead
  
• Switch ovens and hobs off after use, keep them clean, and don't leave items like tea towels on them
  
• Do not use candles, incense, or prohibited electrical items such as non-CE and BSI items
  

How to avoid false fire alarm activations

• Nobody wants to be responsible for causing an evacuation, so here are some tips on trying to avoid the embarrassment;
• Make sure you ventilate the kitchen by opening windows if you are creating a lot of steam and cooking fumes
  
• Make sure your bathroom door is always closed and the extractor fan is on, even when after showering, as the smoke detector reacts to steam
  
• Don't spray aerosols like deodorant, hairspray, and body spray directly under a smoke detector
  
• Steam from hair straighteners can even set off the alarms, again just avoid using them directly under a smoke detector
  
• Last but not least, and maybe the most obvious - smoking. This includes vapes. Smoking is banned inside the building so please smoke or vape outside at least 5 metres away from the building.
  

If you discover to hear the fire alarm there are a few things you need to do to keep yourself and others safe.

On discovering a fire

• Use a call point nearby to activate the fire alarm (Don’t be scared of doing this!).
• Exit the building immediately, through your nearest fire escape, closing any doors behind you.
  
• Go to your designated evacuation point, and let the fire marshal know full information about where the fire is and if known, what has caused the fire.
  
• Do not stop for any possessions.
  
• Do not return to the building/area, and remain at the assembly point until you are told by the fire marshal that it is safe to return.
  

On hearing a fire alarm

• Leave the building immediately and go to your building’s fire assembly point.
• DO NOT stop to collect belongings or friends, but do make people aware that they need to leave.
  
• Go to your designated evacuation point.
• DO NOT use the lift or re-enter the building after leaving until you are told by the fire marshal that it is safe to do so.
  

If there is an emergency, always contact the emergency services.

You can contact the emergency services on three numbers –

• 999 – Use this in an emergency (if there is any threat to life) or if you require assistance immediately from the police, ambulance, or fire service.
• 111 – Use this in non-emergency situations to contact the NHS for any medical issues.
  
• 101 - This non-emergency number is for the police when there is no immediate danger. Both Southampton and Winchester are covered by Hampshire Constabulary.
  

When you’re speaking with emergency services, remember: do not hang up! The person who responds will be able to give you advice as well as summon the correct service.

In an emergency you will also need to contact reception to keep them updated, they will be able to send staff to meet the emergency services and guide them to the location of the incident.

• 02380 595777