Campus Safety
Campus Safety
The University has taken a number of measures to ensure the safety of the campus community at King’s:
controlled-access doors have been installed on all residence buildings, and hourly rounds of the campus
are conducted by Patrol staff, after regular business hours. Each night one of the dons is on-call to
respond to emergencies, and the Dean is only a phone call away.
In the event of a serious emergency, we can contact Dalhousie’s professional security force, who are right
at our doorstep. We also rely on our good relationship with the Halifax Regional Police and Emergency
Medical Services, who are always quick to respond.
The follow policies and procedures are for the information of resident students:
In the event of an Emergency…
DIAL 0 FROM ANY CAMPUS PHONE AND ASK STAFF TO CONTACT 911. THEY WILL ALSO
ALERT THE RESIDENCE STAFF. If you cannot contact the Front Desk yourself, send a friend or
bystander.
Safety Bulletins
The Dean’s Office issues safety memos throughout the year in the event that there are particular safety
issues about which you need to be informed. Read these notices, please! You will find them in your
Dalhousie email account, posted on your Don’s bulletin board in your residence and/or in your mailboxes
at Alex Hall desk.
DalAlert
Notification about on-campus emergencies such as fires, violent incidents and storm closures are sent via
text message to your cellular telephone through Dalhousie’s DalAlert messaging services. All students are
strongly urged to register their cell phone numbers. Visit dalalert.dal.ca
Theft
It is your responsibility to ensure that your valuables are kept in a secure location. Do not leave your
valuables in common rooms. The College is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. Keep your
doors and windows closed and locked whenever you are not in your room. If you do discover a theft,
inform your don immediately. If you witness a theft in progress, stay safe and well away from the
area. Do not try to intervene, and inform your don or the Dean as soon as possible.
Personal Safety Information
Personal precautions are the best defense for maintaining your own safety. The following are some handy
tips:
• Close and lock your doors whenever you leave your room, including trips to the bathroom, or when you
are going down the hall to visit friends.
• Close and lock your door before you go to bed.
• Do not allow strangers into residence buildings. If you see a suspicious person, call your Don or Patrol.
• Be aware and alert when travelling across King’s and Dalhousie’s campuses, especially at night. Do not
travel alone and always have money for a bus or cab back to campus. If necessary, use the “cab fund” at
the front desk of Alex Hall (please return the money within 12 hours).
• If you plan to leave campus for an extended period of time, leave a note for your don and tell a friend, so
we know when to expect you back!
• If you are returning to campus at night consider using Tiger Patrol, a Dalhousie student-staffed
walk-home service or their scheduled shuttle bus from 6:00pm-12:30am daily. For more info visit:
www.fm.dal.ca/security/tigerpatrol.htm or call 494-6400.
Fire Safety Information
The university has adopted a number of fire safety policies designed to ensure your safety and those of
your fellow students. Please make yourself aware of them. Any student found in contravention of the
policies risks significant fines from both the university and municipal/provincial authorities.
Fire Drills & Alarms
If you are unable to vacate your room...
• Close the door, but do not deadbolt it so to provide easy access for firefighters
• Seal cracks with wet towels or sheets to keep out smoke
• Stay low to the floor to prevent smoke inhalation
• Dial 911 and let the Fire Department know where you are
• Signal to firefighters where you are by waving out the window
• Wait to be rescued
Fire Equipment
Tampering with any fire safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, hoses, fire
escapes/landings, sprinklers, or disabling smoke alarms is strictly prohibited.
Sprinklers
Please do not tamper with the sprinklers by hanging clothes or other objects from them or
any residence piping. The sprinklers are a vital component of the King’s fire-safety system. Their proper
operation is vital to providing a safe environment for you and other students.
Fire Doors
Please do not prop open any doors in residence, including your residence room door or the
fire separation doors which can be found throughout the residence. They are designed with automatic
closures in order to limit the spread of fire and keep exit routes clear of fire and smoke. They are an
important component of the campus safety system.
Fire Hazards
Objects in hallways are considered hazards. Personal items such as bikes, boots/shoes,
boxes, chairs, etc. may not be left in hallways. Candles, incense, open-element appliances (grills,
toasters, etc.), halogen lamps and dangerous goods such as barbecue lighters are prohibited, as they pose significant fire hazards.
Fire Inspections
Fire safety inspections of the residence are conducted on a regular basis by university
personnel and/or municipal inspectors. Under provincial law, the university residence, including
individual residence rooms, may be subject to an inspection with 24-hours’ notice.
