Fire ranks third among the causes of accidental death, however, it is usually smoke and gases that are the killers. A smoldering wastebasket or frayed electric cord can become dangerous long before any actual flames appear.

The number of fires caused by space heaters is keeping pace with their growing popularity, especially kerosene heaters. Use these machines with the caution they require --- spilled, burning kerosene can send a room up in flames in seconds.

Keep your dwelling free of clutter, trash piles, and other accumulated items (such as old newspapers, bags, piles of clothing). Make sure the electrical system is in good order. Do not overload circuits.

If there are more appliances and other electrical items than the present system can handle, increase the amps in the system. If fuses or circuit breakers are continually shutting off power to appliances, the system is overloaded. Do not put too many plugs into one outlet – this overloads it and may cause a fire.

Check all electrical appliances for frayed spots and remember to keep stoves, frying pans, and vents, etc. free of grease.

Explain (and run a test drill) for everyone in your home on how to escape from a fire. By law, there should be two means of exit from each living unit. Know the location of all the fire extinguishers and fire alarms in the building. Ask your landlord to provide a smoke alarm for each living unit. Ask the fire department to check your home for fire hazards.

On discovering a fire, sound the alarm to alert other residents and immediately call the fire department. Shut all doors and windows in the immediate vicinity of the fire if possible (to contain it) and leave the building promptly by the nearest available exit.

DO NOT attempt to fight fires that are not strictly confined to a container or in a limited area.

If you feel that your living unit is not reasonably safe from fire, advise your landlord, the fire department, or city building inspector. It is your life – you cannot wait for someone else to do something about it.

• Crime Prevention

Living off-campus can present new concerns about home security. The following are a few tips to follow in securing your home:

• Always install new locks when moving into a house or apartment. If the landlord is not willing to change the locks to your satisfaction, see if he/she would be willing to allow you to make the change at your expense if you are willing to provide him/her with a key for emergencies.
• Do not leave extra keys where they can be easily found, e.g., in the mailbox, under the doormat, etc.
• Use deadbolt locks (especially those requiring a key) or sliding barrel locks on all doors to the outside, not just the front. Install chain locks as an added precaution. For your garage, cellar, or other utility doors, use crossbars and hasp locks. Do not use cheap locks or spring-snap locks – they are easily opened.
• Make sure all windows including cellar windows are locked. They also should have vent locks that prevent them from being lifted more than four inches.
• Your local police have an engraver that can be borrowed and used to mark valuables with a driver’s license number or some other unique identifiable mark. The Lehigh University Campus Police also have engravers. The identification will aid in the recovery of items stolen. If an item cannot be engraved, write down its description and serial number. If ownership of a stolen item cannot be proven, the police will not release it.
• A well-lit house and garage are excellent burglar deterrents. At night, leave some lights on inside the house. When leaving the house, do not leave notes about any return times.
• When leaving home for an extended time, take the following precautions:

• Register your vacation with the City of Bethlehem police.
• Cancel daily deliveries of mail, newspapers, etc. or arrange for someone to pick them up.
• Allow some lights to remain on in the apartment/home or install an automatic timer to turn them on.
• Do not close curtains.
• Ask a neighbor to watch the apartment/house.

• One of the most important ways of protecting your home is to know your neighbors. Make them fully aware of your living habits – who comes and goes to your house and when. Get to know theirs equally as well.
• If a stranger appears to be doing something out of the ordinary, call the police immediately.

• Campus Escort Service