Safety Hazards

Fires  

Report all incidents immediately to Public Safety at 6.4444 (or 912.260.4444 if off-campus) and sound the building fire alarm. If for some reason you cannot get through to the 4444 number, then dial 911. 

Attempt to fight a fire ONLY if you know proper techniques and you can do so safely. Never fight a fire alone. 

As a general rule, smoke first accumulates in a room at the ceiling. Keep low to avoid it, even crawl! 

Check all doors by touch prior to opening. If warm, do not open; there may be a fire on the other side. Close any interior doors to prevent the spread of fire and smoke. Do not lock the doors! 

Do not attempt to use elevators. 

Remember – sounding of a building fire alarm constitutes an order to leave, not a request. The dormitory manager will levy a $100 fine on any who fail to leave the building promptly – even if it turns out to be a false alarm or a test. 

If your clothes should catch fire – stop, drop to the ground, or floor, and roll over and over, covering your face with your hands. 

Fire doors, such as the doors leading to stairwells, prevent fire and smoke from spreading and provide a safe escape route.  Keep them closed at all times and report any that need repair or have been propped open. 

If you’re trapped in your room:

• Keep the door closed. 
• Seal cracks around the door with tape, clothes, sheets, etc. 
• Open windows slightly if there’s no smoke outside. Open at top to vent smoke, or open at the bottom to let fresh air in.
• Tie a wet cloth over your nose and mouth to aid breathing. 
• Stay low, where air is fresher. 
• Signal rescuers by waving a sheet or clothing out the window, or telephone for help. 
• Don’t jump if you are higher than 2 stories. 
• Once outside, stand clear of the building, out of the way of firefighters. Never go back into a burning building for any reason.  Report to your meeting place. 

Report hazards (i.e., chemical, high voltage lines, structure damage, etc.) to responding emergency personnel. 

Chemical Spills

Immediately leave the room or area where large volumes of chemicals, or acutely toxic chemicals have been spilled and close the door behind you. 

Call 4444 and report the chemical type, volume, and location along with your name and phone extension. 

Notify your supervisors and others in the vicinity that a spill has occurred. Stand by in a safe area for the arrival of response personnel. Be prepared to meet and provide the response personnel with information about the spill. 

For assistance with other matters related to chemical incidents/training or for disposal of small scale spill clean-up materials, call the S.G.C. Environmental Safety Hazard officer at 6.4385 (or 912.260.4385) if off-campus).