Stanford has committed significant resources to ensure your day-to-day safety and to prepare for and respond effectively in the event of an emergency.
Student Housing and Residential and Dining Enterprises (R&DE) take leading roles in this effort.

• R&DE has a comprehensive emergency plan for all housing and dining facilities and takes part in campus-wide planning and training exercises.
• Student Housing works closely with the Department of Public Safety, whose deputy sheriffs make regular rounds of student residences.
• The county Fire Marshall regularly inspects student residences, which are equipped with fire safety devices; fire drills are scheduled quarterly.
• Student residences are locked 24/7 and are accessible only to students with keys.
• All residences with interior corridors have electronic guest entry systems, called DoorKing, that give residents control over who can and cannot enter the building and common areas.
• Safety and evacuation instructions are posted in each residence hall room, in apartments in multi-story buildings, and on this website.
• Residence hallways and exit routes are inspected daily to ensure that they are clear of obstructions.
• Student Housing stores food and emergency supplies throughout the campus in the event of an earthquake.

In Your Residence

Make it harder for crime to happen in your residence. Treat your room or apartment as you would any home in a large, metropolitan area.

• Lock your door and windows whenever you leave your room or apartment, even if you plan to be gone for “just a minute.” Take your room key when you leave.
• Never leave purse, wallets, or valuables exposed; store them out of sight. Be especially careful with your credit cards, which are easy to steal and use again.
• Use a security device with your computer.
• Mark your computer, stereo, and other valuable equipment with your name, driver’s license number, and/or home state. Use an engraving tool or simply use a Sharpie or other indelible marker to write your name somewhere a thief wouldn’t think to check.
• Keep a flashlight nearby.
• Be sure doors latch behind you when you enter or leave a building.
• Don’t let people into your hall or apartment building unless you know them.
• Don’t let tailgaters—people you don’t know—follow you into a building.
• Don’t prop open exterior doors.
• Get to know your neighbors.
• Offer assistance to strangers in your residence. Direct visitors to the DoorKing call box and explain how to use it. Visitors who have a reason to be there will appreciate your help. If they don’t have a reason to be there, contact your RA or call 9-911 from a campus phone or 911 from most cell phones.
• Carry your key or SUID at all times.
• Never lend your key to anybody.
• Call 9-911 from a campus phone or 911 from most cell phones if you hear or see something suspicious.

Learn more about personal safety and protection.

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When you travel on campus:

• Travel with a friend, especially at night.
• Follow recommended travel routes considered safest for bicycle and pedestrian traffic. They are well traveled, well lit at night, located in open and visible areas, and they extend from most student residences to academic areas.
• Stay on the suggested routes and avoid shortcuts.
• Travel on the clear, lighted areas of the routes.
• Be cautious in and around buildings.
• Carry purses, briefcases, and backpacks with a firm grip close to your body.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Never wear headphones. They limit your ability to detect and respond to an emergency situation.
• After dark, use the Marguerite Shuttle or the SURE escort service at 725-SURE (7873). Students driving SURE golf carts provide escort services to anyone in the Stanford community who wants a safer trip across campus.
• Know the locations of 24-hour access buildings: Terman Engineering Center, Medical Center, Lucile Packard Childrens’ Hospital, Sweet Hall (second floor computer cluster), Forsythe Hall (first floor), and Meyer Library (24-hour study lab).
• If you think you are being followed or threatened, press the red button on one of the blue emergency phone towers located on main travel routes across campus.

Recommended travel routes

When You Bike On Campus

• Always wear a helmet when riding your bike. The Campus Bike Shop sells high-quality helmets for about $20—an inexpensive way to protect a valuable head.
• Always lock your bike and NEVER leave your bike unlocked, locked only to itself, or with only the front wheel locked. We recommend using a U-lock such as Kryptonite and a six-foot cable or chain—the thicker the better. Bicycle theft is the most common campus crime, and most bike thefts are due to cut cable locks. The U-lock allows you to lock your bike at any rack, and a heavy chain will secure your wheels as well. Check out the bicycle security package available from the Campus Bike Shop.
• Register your bike—it’s $3.50 for three years and your only chance of recovery if your bike is stolen. You can register your bike during registration events in White Plaza during New Student Orientation; from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Fridays throughout the year; and at the Parking and Transportation Services (PandTS) office, 340 Bonair Siding (723-9362).
• Engrave your name on your bike (see the Campus Bike Shop) or cover your bike with stickers and use nail polish to write your name on it.
• Always ride with working brakes —get new pads and adjustments at any bike shop.
• Park your bike in designated spaces. Do not park your bike in front of stairs, ramps, doorways, or building entrances—your sight- and mobility-impaired classmates need unencumbered access to the buildings. The Department of Public Safety will cut the locks and impound bikes locked to any object other than a bike rack, or bikes that block wheelchair access.
• Use a bike light and wear light-colored clothing when riding at night. Parking and Transportation Services gives free bike lights as part of the registration process. State law requires cyclists to use front white lights, rear red reflectors, pedal, and side reflectors at night. For added safety, use rear red flashers, and reflectors.
• Follow traffic laws. Bicyclists are expected to comply with the same traffic laws as motor vehicle drivers and may be ticketed if they do not. To avoid a citation, stop at stop signs, ride in the direction of traffic, and use the same turn lanes as motor vehicle drivers.

• Report it to the Stanford Police Department (723-9633) immediately. Provide the registration number, serial number, make, model, size, and color of the bike.

• Dial 9-911 from a campus phone (911 from most cell phones) or use a Blue Light Emergency Tower phone.
• Give the dispatcher the time and location of the incident and a description of the suspect.

Learn more about Bicycle rules and safety at the California DMV website.

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Register for the Freshman Emergency Ride Home program. You can get a free cab ride back to campus the next time you find yourself off campus without a way back using existing transit alternatives.

Parking and Transportation Services runs this program with Yellow Cab of Palo Alto (650-321-1234 or toll-free at 888-512-1234) to help freshmen with unforeseen travel emergencies. Registered program members are allowed three free cab rides to a campus destination during the year.

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• Use decorations made only from non-flammable material, or treated with a flame-retardant solution or process that has been approved by the State Fire Marshal.

• Do not allow decorations to obstruct or conceal (in whole or even in part) emergency routes, signs, or devices—for instance, exits, exit lights, fire alarm pull boxes, fire hose cabinets, fire extinguishers, sprinkler heads, and smoke detectors.
• Do not decorate the corridor or your door with wrapping paper.
• You can buy fire retardant solution from the Stanford Fire Marshal’s Office by calling 723-5099 or 724-7818.

• Purchase only natural trees that have been treated with a flame retardant. Approved tree lots, which are licensed by the State Fire Marshal’s office for flame-retardant application, include
• Kiwanis Club, Stanford Stadium, Stanford
• Barron Park Nursery, 3876 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
• Grandpa’s Christmas Trees, 2780 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
• Keep all holiday trees—natural and artificial—out of corridors and away from doorways and heat sources.
• Do not remove the tag that proves the tree has been treated with a flame-retardant chemical. The tag must include the name and registration number of the chemical used, the name of the applicator, and the date of treatment.
• Keep cut natural trees in water at all times to slow the natural drying process.

• Use only lights that bear the Underwriters Laboratory
  (UL) seal of approval.
• Do not use lights with loose sockets or frayed or damaged wires.
• Do not run wiring through doorways, under carpeting,
  or through holes in walls.
• Never plug one extension cord into another; use a multiple-outlet power strip with an internal circuit breaker.
• Always turn the holiday lights off when you leave the building.
• Never wrap decorative rope lights or holiday lights around exposed sprinkler pipes.
• Dispose of all decorations, trees, and wrappings immediately after the holidays by taking them to campus recycling/dumpster areas.

Holiday fire safety information

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Sexual assault can happen to anyone of any age, at any time, or any place. It does not discriminate and affects men, women, and children of all ages, races, ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, and sexual orientations.

The YWCA Sexual Assault Center (24-hour hotline (650-725-9955) located on the first floor of Vaden Health Center, provides support and assistance to students, staff, faculty, and Stanford affiliates with the difficult issue of sexual assault.

Sexual Assault and Relationship Abuse Prevention and Support offers a wealth of information on assault prevention, reporting an incident, and helping a friend.

Resources:

• YWCA Sexual Assault Center (24-hour hotline, 725-9955) located on the first floor of Vaden Health Center
• Medical clinicians at Vaden Healthy Center (723-4841)
• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) (723-3785)

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Please review the Stanford Security Report to learn emergency procedures that help ensure your safety during your time at the University. Also, take time to learn the Emergency Evacuation Plan posted in your room or apartment, locate the nearest exits and fire extinguishers, find the location of the Emergency Assembly Point for your building, and know the routes to get there.

How to report an emergency

Anytime you need immediate police, fire, or medical response:

• Call 9-911 from University phones;
• Call 911 from most cell phones (not all carriers connect to 911 services) or a pay phone; or
• Press the red button on the blue emergency phone tower.

Any of these methods will reach the local 911 Emergency Dispatch Center, which is staffed 24 hours a day. Pushing the red button on the blue tower phones also will activate a blue strobe light on top that alerts others, including responding deputies, to your location.

Please remember that the Emergency Phones are in place for reporting emergencies. Intentional misuse, prank calls, or tampering with these phones is a criminal offense.

Meeting at your Emergency Assembly Point

Know the location of the Emergency Assembly Point (EAP) for your building. EAPs are open areas away from buildings where residents can gather out of harm’s way in the event of a fire, earthquake, or other emergency.

Find the Emergency Assembly Point
A post marked with a blue triangle in a white circle
—for your building.

Emergency Assembly Points

Power Outage

Power outages are usually brief and affect small areas of the campus. However, to prepare for the possibility.

• Keep flashlights and fresh batteries on hand.
• Do not overload power strips.
• Use surge protectors to protect sensitive electronic equipment.

If a power outage occurs in your building:

• Call 725-1602 (emergency maintenance).
• Do not light candles if the power goes out; they are not permitted in residences.
• Unplug personal computers.
• Unplug non-essential appliances and equipment.
• Open windows for additional light and ventilation.
• Go to a building that hasn’t been affected by the outage.

Building Evacuation

Evacuate your residence when you hear the sound of an alarm. Drills are no exception.

• Exit the building quickly and safely, closing the door behind you.
• Walk, do not run.
• Wear shoes to avoid injuries from broken glass and debris.
• Help others to evacuate—knock on doors and check bathrooms as you leave the building. Help those with a physical disability evacuate the building.
• Go to the Emergency Assembly Point for your building.
• Check in with your RA or other residence staff member responsible for the whereabouts of residents.
• Be alert for suspicious persons or activity. An alarm may be part of a crime in progress.
• If the alarm in the building has been set off by accident, call 9-911 from a campus phone or 911 from most cell phones immediately and explain the situation.
• Report any vandalism or tampering with the alarm.

Fire

Fire safety devices are installed in all residence buildings.

All housing facilities are equipped with monitored fire alarm systems, most housing facilities have automatic, monitored fire sprinklers, and all residence hall rooms and apartments have smoke detectors.

Sprinkler heads are activated individually by heat when the ceiling temperature reaches 155° F. Do not throw Frisbees or balls inside your residence or hang objects from sprinkler heads. Once activated, a single sprinkler will spray 20 gallons of water per minute until it is shut off.

• Know the location of fire extinguishers and alarms, and know how to use them.
• Know the nearest exit and the location of your Emergency Assembly Point. You can find this information on the Emergency Evacuation Plan posted inside every building and inside your room or apartment (except low-rise apartment).
• If you have been assigned to a fire exit room, keep the designated path to the door or window clear at all times. Fire exit rooms may be inspected at unannounced times; failure to keep the pathway clear may result in a $500 fine and termination of your occupancy.
• Never tamper with fire alarms or equipment. Note: It is against the law and University policy to tamper with fire equipment or to set off a false fire alarm. Violators are subject to a minimum $500 fine, University disciplinary action, and criminal penalties.
• Leave fire and stairwell doors closed at all times.
• Keep corridors and room exits free of obstructions.
• Do not use items prohibited in residences including candles, torches, hookahs, incense or any other open flame device; hot plates, toasters, electric heaters, and halogen lamps.
• When cooking on a stovetop, never leave the stove unattended.
• Use only plug strips and extension cords that bear the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) seal of approval. A fire-safe power strip with a 12-foot cord is available from Cardinal Mall .
• Do not use extension cords with multiple sockets at one end.

• Activate the nearest alarm and, from a safe location, immediately call 9-911 from a campus phone or 911 from most cell phones or pay phone.
• Before opening any door, use the back of your hand to see if the door is hot—if it is hot, leave it closed and stuff towels or clothes in the cracks and open a window.
• If the door is not hot, open it slowly (CAUTION: the doorknob may be hot) and be prepared to close it quickly if necessary.
• Cautiously exit the building—carry a towel or blanket to protect yourself from flames and smoke—and take your key with you if can’t exit the building and must return to your room.
• If you see or smell smoke in a hall or stairway, use another exit.
• Go directly to your building’s Emergency Assembly Point to check in. Remain there to receive information.
• Do not return to the building until you are notified that it is safe to do so.

• Close the door to the corridor and seal cracks with wet towels.
• Open the window at top and bottom a few inches.
• Hang out a white sheet to signal for help.
• Soak a large sheet, blanket, or rug and get under it near the window.

Learn more about fire safety.

Earthquake

Before an earthquake, be prepared

• Contact your Housing Front Desk to anchor heavy furniture, equipment, and furniture over 42″ in your room or apartment.
• Do not place glass, picture frames, or heavy objects over your desk or bed.
• Don’t use makeshift shelving such as bricks and boards.
• Rearrange furniture that could fall on your or block your exit.
• Lock the wheels on TV or equipment carts.
• Keep cabinet doors latched.
• Position the head of your bed away from windows.
• Plan where you can take cover in your room or apartment during the earthquake.
• Know the location of at least two exits.
• Keep an emergency kit under the bed with these and other emergency supplies from Cardinal Mall and other stores.
• 72-hour supply of water and non-perishable food
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Radio with extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Hygiene items/medications
• Sturdy closed shoes and jacket or sweater
• Cash
• Formulate a plan now with your family and/or roommates on how you will communicate and reunite after an earthquake.
• Carry a Stanford emergency wallet card with you. It has critical before-during-after emergency instructions. For additional copies, visit EH&S or call 723-0448.
• Learn first aid and CPR; contact the Health Improvement Program at 723-9649. Refer to the first few pages of your telephone book for other first aid information.
• Keep an out-of-state phone contact you can use as an information center for you and your relatives.

Ask parents, relatives, and friends to call 1-800-SHAKE (1-800-897-4253)—1-602-241-6769 if outside the U.S.—for information about Stanford in the event of a major emergency.

• REMEMBER to Duck, Cover, and Hold.
• If you are indoors, stay there. Do not run outside. Take cover under a heavy desk or table or in a doorway and protect your neck and head. If you take cover in a doorway, be careful of the door swinging shut and smashing your fingers or bruising your body.
• Stay away from windows and objects that could fall.
• If you are in a hallway, sit against the wall with your back to it.
• If you are outdoors, move to an open area and stay clear of buildings and electrical/telephone poles—beware of flying glass.
• If you are in a car, stop carefully away from structures or bridges, and stay in the car.
• Do not be alarmed if the electricity goes out or if alarms and fire sprinklers are activated.

• Carefully evacuate your residence and go to the Emergency Assembly Point. Make sure you are accounted for before heading elsewhere.
• Use 9-911 from a campus phone or 911 from most cell phones to report life-threatening medical or fire emergencies.
• Immediately report any gas leaks or electrical hazards. Don’t use matches or electrical switches until you are sure there are no leaks.
• Check the outside of your room, house or office for structural damage—do not re-enter the building until it has been inspected by a University official.
• Help those who are injured and administer first aid if needed.
• Check for fire hazards.
• Be prepared for aftershocks, which may cause additional damage.
• Keep streets clear for emergency vehicles and avoid the temptation to sight-see.
• Open doors, drawers and cupboards carefully—items may fall on you.
• Tune to KZSU 90.1 FM for earthquake information and additional instructions.

Be Quake Safe at Stanford