Safety

Register your property with the University’s Project Protect – this increases the chances of retrieving your belongings.

Program your phone with emergency numbers: UMass Police 413-545-2121 and Amherst Police 413-259-3000.

Off Campus Safety

• Always lock your door. You have the right to ask your landlord to change the locks before you move in.
• Make sure your front door has a peephole and dead bolt lock. Keep windows and doors secured with working locks at all times.
• Secure sliding glass doors with a safety bar in the door track to prevent them from being forced open.
• Never hide a key under the doormat, flowerpot or other easily accessible place - crooks know where to look.
• At night, close your curtains and shades to prevent people from seeing any valuables, or whether you are alone in the house. 
• Ask your landlord to trim trees and bushes near your entrances to maximize visibility
• Ask for proper ID from maintenance people, landlords or strangers. Don’t be afraid to ask - legitimate staff carry them!
• Don't loan your key out. And don’t loan your key to repair or delivery people, or allow any service person to enter your home when nobody is there.  
• Don't let strangers into the building or allow them to follow you in.
• Develop a “buddy” system with neighbors. Be alert for suspicious people or activity in your neighborhood.
• Never leave a note on the door saying you are away. Do leave a light on when you are away so it looks occupied.

Causes of Off Campus Fires

Most fires are due to a general lack of knowledge about fire safety and prevention. It is important that both off campus and on campus students understand fire risks and know the preventative measures that could save their lives.

There are five common factors in off campus housing fires:

• Lack of automatic fire sprinklers
• Missing or disabled smoke alarms
• Careless disposal of smoking materials
• Impaired judgment from alcohol consumption
• Upholstered furniture fires on decks and porches

Fire Prevention

Download  Fire Safety Checklist for Off Campus Housing

Fire Safety Tips

Candles

• Make sure your lease allows the use of candles.
• Make sure candles are in sturdy holders and put out after each use.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended. Don't leave the room.
• Keep candles away from draperies and linens.
• Use flameless candles which are both safe and attractive.

Cooking

• Keep your cooking area clean and uncluttered.
• Never leave cooking unattended. Don't leave the room.
• If your smoke detector goes off when you cook, don't disconnect it. Simply ask the landlord to move it.
• If a fire starts in a microwave, keep the door closed and unplug the unit.

Escape Planning

• Practice your escape plan.  Always have two ways out.
• Get low and go under the smoke to escape to your safe exit.
• Feel the door. If it's hot, use your second way out.
• Use the stairs; never use an elevator during a fire.

UMass Amherst Office of Emergency Management

UMass Amherst has a comprehensive emergency communication system and resources for emergency notifications and preparedness. Get weather conditions, notifications, see preparedness resources on their website.

Sign up for UMass Alerts to get time sensitive emergency text messages on your cell phone. Sign up for alerts from your town, too.  

Town of Amherst Emergency Preparedness 

If you live off campus in Amherst, make sure to sign up for emergency alerts via text, email or phone that affect parking, power outages, storms, etc. 

Communication Planning

Talk with your family and roommates to create a plan for efficiently alerting each other to your current status in case of emergency. Notify family and friends if you are affected by an off campus emergency so they know where you are.

Update Your SPIRE Emergency Contact Information

The Emergency Contacts page lists the name, address, and telephone number of the individual(s) who should be contacted on your behalf in case of an emergency. Update your emergency contact information on SPIRE.

Build Your Own Emergency Kit

Fresh water, food, clean air and warmth are the basics of survival. Federal government websites provide great information for preparing kits for emergencies and staying aware during emergency situations.  Go to:  www.ready.gov  and www.fema.gov for more information. 

Get FEMA's comprehensive Emergency Supply Kit List.

Where To Go for Shelter and Support

Keep up to date on conditions at the University and in your town.  If you need assistance, here are some options for help:

For food, shelter, or other assistance in an emergency, Massachusetts has a helpful system to find human services in greater Amherst area. Simply call Mass 2-1-1 by dialing 211 (if on a phone based in Massachusetts) or 1-877-211-MASS (6277), or by visiting www.mass211.org.

The Off Campus Student Center (Bartlett Hall 103) is a comfortable place to warm up, charge devices, access wifi, and hang out.  Check to see if we’re open in emergency on www.umass.edu or on the campus emergency websites.

Need Legal Assistance? For concerns with landlord-tenant lease issues, or have damage to property as the result of a storm or other emergency, contact:

Student Legal Services
922 Campus Center
@email
www.umass.edu/slso
413-545-1995

Keep Your Food Safe

During power outages of more than a few hours, some food may no longer be edible..  For more information about food safety during an emergency, visit www.foodsafety.gov.

Prevent Frozen Pipes - Heat Your Home Over Winter Break

If you will be away over the winter break, do not turn your heat off! You can turn your thermostat down, but set it at no lower than 55 degrees. Turning your heat off or setting the thermostat lower than 55 degrees may cause significant damage if the pipes freeze. The cost, often in the thousands of dollars - could potentially be passed on to you.

Fuel Assistance

If your household is having trouble paying for heating expenses, here are two resources that might be able to help:

• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program -  Qualified households will receive assistance based on their household size and income.
• Energy assistance and fuel assistance through Community Action Pioneer Valley

Storm and Snow Emergency Parking Information-Town of Amherst

During a declared storm or snow emergency, parking is prohibited from midnight to 7:00 am on all town streets and in all parking lots, with three exceptions. 

Emergency Car Kit

The following are items you should always have in your car in case of a winter emergency:

• windshield ice scraper
• travel shovel
• sensible shoes that provide traction
• heavy coat and gloves
• blankets
• cat litter, road salt, or rug samples (to place under your tires if you are stuck in the snow)
• flashlight and batteries
• jumper cables
• first aid kit
• non-perishable snacks
• water
• emergency flares

Additional Information

For more information about winter readiness: www.ready.gov/winter

• Lock doors or windows and close blinds
• Remove trash and perishable foods.
• Leave your heat at least at 55 degrees so your pipes do not freeze and/or burst.
• If you will be gone for more than a few days, stop mail delivery or arrange for a neighbor to pick up your mail
• Make sure valuables are out of sight.
• Do not leave any notes for friends or service people on your door.