Living off campus is very different from being in a residence hall or an on-campus apartment. When you move off campus, you assume full responsibility for your own safety and living environment.
The following safety tips were developed in conjunction with local law enforcement officials:
- Never use an attic or basement as a bedroom. In the event of fire, you could be trapped inside, unable to exit the building. Furthermore, attic and basement bedrooms are a violation of New York State law.
- Keep entry doors and windows locked at all times.
- If your home has a security system, use it whether you are at home or away.
- Never open the door without knowing who is on the other side. Never admit someone you do not know personally into your home. Ask delivery/service people and meter readers for ID.
- Leave some lights on when you go out and plan to return home after dark. Let a housemate know when you're on your way home. Have your keys in hand so that you can open your house/apartment without delay.
- List only your first initial and last name on your mailbox; never use your full name.
- Keep fresh batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Develop a fire emergency plan with your housemates. Plan at least two escape routes along with a designated place to meet outside.
- Fuse boxes protect you from fire. Never tamper with them or use fuses that are not the correct size.
- Be especially proactive before leaving town, especially if your apartment will be empty during the extended winter break. Before leaving town:
- Purchase automatic timers to set some lights to go on and off every day.
- Have your mail held at the post office or collected daily by a reliable neighbor.
- Store valuables in a secure place or take them with you.
- Arrange with your landlord to remove the snow and/or cut the grass (depending on the season).
- Make sure all doors and windows are locked security.
If there are any problems with your house/apartment that you have asked your landlord to rectify and they are not completed in a timely manner, contact your local building department and make an appointment for an inspector to visit your property. (Make sure you are present at the inspection.) If the inspector finds any code violations, he/she can issue a citation to the landlord, including the date by which the repairs must be completed. If the landlord fails to make a timely abatement of the violation(s), the city/town can choose to take legal action against the landlord. In the City of Buffalo, contact the Department of Housing and Property Inspections at 851-4949. In the Town of Amherst, contact the Building Department/Inspections at 631-7080.
A few simple precautions can determine the difference between having a positive and negative experience off campus. For further information, including a checklist of what to look for in off-campus housing, stop by Off-Campus Student Services, 112 Student Union, North Campus, or visit the following Web site: http://www.student-affairs.buffalo.edu/activities/offcampus.shtml.
