Safety

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We’re committed to providing a safe living and learning environment for everyone, 24 hours a day. Please remember that safety is everyone's responsibility and we hope you have a safe and enjoyable year here in University Housing.

For general Emergency Preparedness tips and strategies from the DHPD, click here.

Click on the topics below to view information.

Home Preparation Checklist
  1. Keep important phone numbers (fire department, paramedics, police, hospital, doctor, relatives, etc.) by the phone. If you do not have a land line, make sure you have these numbers saved on your cell phone!
  2. Place flashlights in handy locations.
  3. Install surge protectors to help safeguard electronic equipment.
  4. Frequently back up important work and files on your computer.
Parking Lots
  1. Make sure you’re driving in the right direction by reading posted signs and watching for arrows on the pavement indicating the designated direction. The University Housing parking lot direction is one way only.
  2. Always give driving your full attention: avoid eating, drinking, cellphone use, and other distractions while driving.
  3. Follow all campus traffic signage: fully stop at stop signs, yield to pedestrians, and follow posted traffic patterns (one-way, etc.).
  4. Only park in a space if you’re sure you have enough room.
  5. Be careful opening your door as you exit your car to avoid denting the side of the car next to you.
Electronic Gates
  1. The electronic gates are for vehicles only.
  2. They are set up to allow only one vehicle at a time to exit and are unsafe for pedestrians to use at any time.
  3. Wait for the gate to open before entering or exiting.
  4. Multiple vehicles attempting to enter or exit a parking gate designed for single vehicle function is unsafe and may cause damage to both the vehicle and the gate.
If You See an Abandoned Animal
  1. If the animal presents a threat, call 911. If the animal is not a threat, call (310) 523-9566.
  2. You’ll be prompted to enter our zip code (90746) you may hear a recording say, our area is not service by them, but don’t hang up, they will assist in getting you to the right person.
  3. Website: www.animalcare.lacounty.gov
  4. Hours of Operation:
    Monday - Thursday: 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm
    Friday - Sunday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
    **Some services are 24 hours**
If You See Coyotes
  1. Normally coyotes are elusive animals and avoid any contact with humans. They are most active after dusk and before daylight. Should you encounter a coyote, wildlife experts including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommend the following. 
  2. Make yourself as large as possible. Stand up straight and wave your arms over your head.
  3. If followed by a coyote, make loud noises. Scream, yell, or whistle. If this fails, throw rocks in the animal’s direction.
  4. Speak forcefully and directly at the coyote.
  5. Be animated.
  6. Always look directly at the coyote. Never turn your back or run away.
  7. Feeding, harming, harassing, or medicating wild animals on campus is prohibited. Never leave food for any animals on campus, since this may attract coyotes. Never feed or provide water to coyotes; this causes them to quickly lose their fear of humans and develop a territorial attitude that may lead to aggressive behavior.  
  8. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife provides additional information on their website as part of the Keep Me Wild program: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Keep-Me-Wild/Coyote 
  9. Should you have any questions or concerns, or wish to report coyote sightings on campus, please contact Risk Management/EHOS at (310) 243-3012.
  • Courtesy of California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
If You See Raccoons
  1. Don’t Feed Raccoons!
  2. It is unlawful to feed any mammalian predator in the City of Los Angeles, including raccoons (53.06.5 L.A.M.C.).
  3. Raccoons can act tame enough to be hand-fed. Do not be fooled!
  4. Raccoons are wild animals capable of inflicting serious bites and scratches.
  5. Raccoons can also carry diseases that can be transferred to humans. Avoid all direct contact with raccoons and other wildlife.
  6. Most wild animals are easily frightened by people.
  7. If you come across a raccoon that doesn’t turn tail and run, the animal may be sick, protecting its young, or conditioned to the presence of humans through feeding.
  8. In any case, you should contact your local animal care and control.
  9. https://www.laanimalservices.com/search/pets
  • Courtesy of the City of Los Angeles
If You See Squirrels
  1. Don’t let that cute face fool you!
  2. Ground squirrels can harbor diseases harmful to humans, particularly when squirrel populations are dense. Do not touch or feed squirrels, no matter how cute they are.
  3. A major concern is bubonic plague, transmitted to humans by fleas carried on the squirrels. Ground squirrels are susceptible to plague, which has wiped out entire colonies.
  4. If you find unusual numbers of squirrels or other rodents dead for no apparent reason, notify public health officials.
  5. Currently, the plague in humans is relatively rare and can be successfully managed with antibiotics if contracted. Only 8 cases of the plague were reported in the State of California in the 1990s.
  • Courtesy of the City of Los Angeles
Gas Leak or Carbon Monoxide
  1. Remain calm.
  2. DON’T light a match, candle, or cigarette.
  3. DON’T turn electrical appliances or lights on or off, or use any device that can cause a spark.
  4. Immediately evacuate the area and call Southern California Gas Company at (800) 427-2200 from a safe location. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also call 911 in the case of a gas emergency.
  • Courtesy of the Gas Company
Power Outage
  1. Our power provider works hard to prevent power outages, but they do happen occasionally. If you experience a blackout in your apartment, below are some simple safety reminders.
  2. See if your neighbor has power. This will help determine whether there’s an electric outage.
  3. Switch off the lights (except one). You can help prevent damage to your electronics by unplugging them; unplug computers, stereos, and televisions. After the electricity is restored, you can plug them in again.
  4. Get updates from a battery-powered radio if it’s a storm or emergency situation. If it’s a hot day, find relief from the heat at a nearby cool center.
  5. Keep a fully charged cell phone on hand. During power outages, you may lose phone service, and your cordless phone may also lose power.
  6. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. It helps keep the food cool. Before eating food items, check them for spoilage.
  7. Never light fires or charcoal indoors. If you are cold during a power outage, wear multiple layers of warm clothing.
  8. If you see a downed power line, do not touch it. Call 911 immediately!
  • Courtesy of Southern California Edison
Refrigerator Etiquette & Safety
  1. Don't overload the refrigerator. Cool air must circulate to keep food safe.
  2. Always discard any items in the refrigerator that have come into contact with raw meat juices.
  3. Clean up spills immediately.
  4. Close the door completely.
  5. Don’t move or take items that aren’t yours.
  6. Don’t leave items for extended period of times. 
Using Your Stovetop & Oven
  1. Never leave cooking unattended.
  2. Keep it clean. Food particles and grease residue can ignite and cause a fire.
  3. Check for body safety.
  • Tie back long hair.
  • Roll up long sleeves.
  • Remove loose jewelry.
  • Be sure footwear is non-slip.
  1. Before each use, do an oven safety check.
  • Make sure there is nothing in the oven. An oven should never be used for storage.
  • Make sure that there are no food particles or grease residue on the stovetop or in the oven.
  • Do not use your stove to heat your apartment.
Balcony/Patio Etiquette & Safety
  1. When sweeping your balcony, patio or your front door entry way, please sweep up trash and dispose of it in a trash receptacle.
  2. Balconies, patios nor entry ways may not be used for storage, i.e. recyclables, trash, cleaning supplies etc.

Safety Videos

  • Click here to watch a video on drinking and driving. Don't let this happen to you!
  • Click here to watch an important safety video about kitchen oil fires.

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