Fire Safety Tips
If you’re a Georgetown student living off campus, the law is intended to protect you from fire hazards. Don’t rent any apartment or house without checking the following:

* Request that your landlord present a Basic Business License for the property before you sign the lease.
* Contact DCRA at 442-4400 to schedule a complete inspection of the house.
* There must be at least two accessible exits from every sleeping quarters. For a window to be considered accessible it must be large enough and low enough to the ground that you can climb out.
* Nobody may live in the same room as a furnace or an oil meter.

Additionally, whether you’re on- or off-campus, use the following checklist for your dorm, apartment, or house to be sure you’re safe in case of a fire.

Smoke Detectors

* Check to make sure that you have working smoke detectors by testing them once a month.
* Change the batteries in your smoke detector every six months, and make sure they're never disconnected.
* Make sure at least one smoke detector is on every floor of the house. They should be located near each bedroom, either on the ceiling or just a few inches below the ceiling on the wall.
* The detector should have a distinct warning signal that you'll be sure to hear whether you're awake or asleep.

Escape Plan

* Be aware of the escape plan and an alternate escape plan. Rehearse the escape plan and routes you will take (fire drills are very important, so take them seriously!). Make sure you have an outdoor meeting location where everyone will go, so that you can be sure everyone has made it out safe, especially if you're off-campus.
* Make sure you have the phone number of the fire department stored in your cell phone and posted on any land lines.

Other Basic Fire Measures

* Don’t use extension cords whenever possible. When you have to use them, make sure they, and all other wires, never have to go under rugs or over doorways.
* Do not overload electrical outlets.
* If an electrical appliance smokes or smells unusual, unplug it immediately and have it serviced before using again.
* Keep combustible materials like curtains, sheets and rugs away from appliances that may heat up, like computers, TVs, stoves, microwaves, or heaters.
* Store flammable liquids like gasoline, kerosene, paint thinner, etc., in approved containers outside your home, but not under your home. They produce invisible vapors that can ignite even from a small spark.
* Never smoke in bed. Always keep ashtrays and other smoking materials away from combustible materials. Run butts and ashes under water before disposing.
* Take care to make sure that piles of paper and trash are kept tidy, and away from wires and heating appliances.
* Clean dryer vents frequently and empty lint screens after each load.
* Do not leave a stove unattended while cooking.