Safety Tips
See the Jiménez Hall Fire Evacuation Plan.
Emergency Preparedness at Maryland | University of Maryland
http://www.umd.edu/emergencypreparedness/
Tornado Safety
Tornados can occur almost anywhere and, given the right set of circumstances, during any season. When a tornado watch is in effect (tornadoes are expected to develop), keep a battery-operated radio nearby to listen for weather advisories, even if the sky is blue.
When a tornado warning is in effect (tornadoes have been sighted or detected by weather radar):
- Do not go outside!
- Seek shelter inside a reinforced building. Go to an interior hallway or basement.
- Take cover under sturdy furniture.
- Stay away from windows and close window blinds to deflect broken glass.
To Survive a Building Fire
Crawl if There's Smoke.
If you get caught in smoke, get down and crawl. Cleaner, cooler air will be near the floor. Get Low – And Go.
Feel Doors Before Opening.
Before opening any doors, feel the metal knob. If it is hot, do not open the door. If it is cool, brace yourself against the door, open it slightly, and if heat or heavy smoke are present, close the door and stay in the room.
Go to the Nearest Exit or Stairway.
- If the nearest exit is blocked by fire, heat, or smoke, go to another exit.
- Always use an exit stair not an elevator.
- Elevator shafts may fill with smoke or the power may fail, leaving you trapped. Stairway fire doors will keep out fire and smoke, if they are closed, and will protect you until you get outside.
Close as many doors as possible as you leave. This helps to confine the fire.
Building occupants are not required to fight a fire. Only use a fire extinguisher if the fire is small and you have been trained in the safe use of fire extinguishers. If you choose to use a fire extinguisher, do not place yourself or others in danger, do not delay activation of the fire alarm and do not delay notification of the fire department. Even if you succeed in extinguishing the fire, the fire department must be notified.
If You Get Trapped – Keep the Doors Closed.
- Place cloth material (wet if possible) around and under door to prevent smoke from entering.
- Be prepared to signal your presence from a window.
- Do not break glass unless absolutely necessary, as outside smoke may be drawn inside.
Signal for Help.
Hang an object at the window (jacket, shirt) to attract the fire department's attention. If there is a phone in the room, call the fire department and report that you are trapped. Be sure to give your room number and location. If all exits from a floor are blocked, go back to your room, close the door, seal cracks, open the windows if safe, wave something at the window, and shout or phone for help.
If You Are on Fire
- Stop, Drop, and Roll.
If your clothes catch on fire, stop, drop, and roll, wherever you are. Rolling smothers the fire. - Cool Burns.
Use cool tap water on burns, immediately. Don't use ointments. If skin is blistered, dead white, brown or charred, call for an ambulance.
Obstacles
Storage of bicycles, chairs, desks, and other items is prohibited in all exit ways. Blocked exits have caused "chain reaction" pile-ups of fallen people during emergencies.
If You Are Disabled
If you are disabled (even temporarily), you should do the following:
- Learn about fire safety.
- Plan ahead for fire emergencies.
- Be aware of your own capabilities and limitations.
For information or to bring any deficiencies in fire protection and safety equipment to the attention of the University Fire Marshal, call 301.405.3970.
Report Fire-Related Crimes to the Police
There is a reward for information leading to the arrest of an arsonist.
Causing a false alarm is a crime punishable by a fine of $5,000 and 5 years imprisonment.
Vandalism of fire extinguishers, exit signs, and fire alarms robs you of your fire protection.
Any student responsible for these crimes can be expelled from the University, in addition to criminal prosecution. A conviction could prevent your acceptance to graduate or professional school.
