Safety Guidelines

After a Natural Disaster

As part of the Emergency Response Program, Brigham Young University has an emergency response plan that will be implemented in the event of an earthquake or other natural disaster. This program involves all appropriate campus departments, BYU wards and stakes, and supporting off-campus agencies. However, the success or failure of BYU's emergency response plan also depends on the actions of individuals like you. The following information will help you avoid injury and help BYU to return to normal operating procedures following a disaster in the shortest possible amount of time:

Communications
Listen to the radio for emergency information. Do not use the telephone, except to make emergency reports. If the line is busy, take a handwritten note to University Police in B-66 ASB. Do not spread rumors. They often do great harm after disasters.

Evacuation
Evacuate the building immediately. Do not jeopardize your life or the lives of others in attempting to save personal or University property. Keep streets clear for emergency travel. Do not wander around disaster areas.

First Aid
Check your immediate area for injured people. Render assistance, but do not exceed your training or knowledge when attempting to render first aid.

Food and Drink
Do not eat or drink anything from open containers near shattered glass. If water service is disrupted, emergency water can be obtained from the water heater, toilet tanks, refrigerator, canned foods, etc. If the power is off, plan meals using foods from your refrigerator or freezer that may spoil quickly. Keep the doors shut on these appliances.

Hazards
Check for fire hazards. Clean up spilled medicines and other harmful or hazardous materials as soon as possible. Check closets and storage areas, opening doors carefully to avoid falling objects. Wear shoes to avoid injury from broken glass. Be prepared for aftershocks that are usually weaker than the main earthquake but may cause additional damage.

Utilities
Keep a flashlight handy. Check utilities and appliances for damage. Do not operate electrical switches, telephone, or appliances if gas is leaking. Do not touch power lines or objects touched by power lines that are down. Before flushing toilets check to see if the sewer lines are working.

Candles and Incense

Residents may not burn candles or incense due to potential fire hazards and smoke damage. An alternative to candles and incense are electric candle warmers. This melts the wax so that you have the scent, but there is no flame. Electric candle warmers should never be left unattended, and extreme caution should always be used.

Earthquake Procedures

Most casualties from an earthquake result from falling objects caused by partial building collapses, weakened masonry, broken light fixtures, and flying glass. Other sources of injury are overturned bookcases, fire from broken gas and power lines, and accidents caused by people panicking. The following are helpful procedures:

Remain calm and help to reassure others. Think actions through before you take them.
If you are indoors, stay away from windows and mirrors. Stairwells can also be dangerous.
Get under a table, desk, or bed in a corner (away from windows), or stand under a strong doorway (assure that the door does not slam shut on your fingers).
When outside, move rapidly but cautiously to an open area away from hazards.

Fire Lanes (North Wymount Terrace)

Residents may use the fire lane for loading and unloading while moving. A permit from the Wymount Terrace office is required for fire lane use. Access to the fire lane is reserved for emergency vehicles and, therefore, arrangements for use of the fire lane at other times must be made by contacting the Community Aide for that area and setting up a time with them to use the fire lane. Fire lanes are not to be used for unloading groceries or parking.

Fire Safety

To prevent fires in Student Family Housing, please observe the following safety guidelines:

Exits
Landings, balconies, common areas, stairwells, and the fire ways of balconies (outer railing) between balconies must be kept clear. Report any damaged or missing fire equipment.

Extension Cords
If you need to use extension cords please keep the number to a minimum and use only UL-approved cords in good condition. Frayed or worn cords are dangerous.

Flammable Materials
Do not store empty boxes, paper, or other flammable products such as gas cans, lighter fluid, or large propane tanks outside or inside of your apartment. Christmas trees must be artificial and treated with a flame retardant.

Open Flame
Incense, candles, or any open flames are not allowed in Student Family Housing. Fire code requires that barbecues be used at least 20 feet away from the building. Barbecues should never be left unattended.

Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors should not be covered, blocked, or unhooked. Do not remove the batteries at any time. If the smoke detectors "chirp" notify Auxiliary Maintenance at 801-422-4411 so the batteries or detector can be replaced. Smoke Detectors are tested annually by Auxiliary Maintenance, Risk Management, and the Community Aide. Residents may test their own smoke detector by pressing the clear button only. Do not press the blue button. Tampering with the Smoke Detector will result in a $35.00 replacement fee.

Fire extinguishers are provided in the stairwells (not in the apartments) for all tenants to use. To operate a fire extinguisher simply follow these instructions, which are printed on the extinguisher:

Break the glass
Pull the pin
Aim the extinguisher at the base of the flame
Squeeze the handle
Sweep with a side-to-side motion

In case of a fire, please take the following steps:

Pull the alarm, warn other residents, and leave the building. Pulling the alarm will NOT notify the University Police or the Fire Department.
Move away from the building.
Call the Fire Department. Dial 911 and give as much specific information as possible. Stay on the phone unless instructed otherwise.
Do not try to put out a serious fire yourself. Leave the building and wait for the fire department.

If you hear the fire alarm:

If time permits and your safety is not jeopardized, close your windows and doors as you leave.
Walk or crawl (if there is smoke) to the nearest exit.
Do not go back into the building until a fire officer or a police officer says it is safe to do so.
Dial 911 to make sure that emergency personnel are aware of the situation.

Firearms

Guns and other weapons, such as large knives, bows and arrows, swords (including decorative weapons), and paint guns are not allowed on campus. Any firearms, pellet guns, BB and paint guns, wrist rockets, slingshots, and other similar items, as well as ammunition, cannot be stored in the apartment. Violators will be referred to the University Police and Honor Code Office (https://policy.byu.edu/view/index.php?p=26), and their rental agreement will be jeopardized.