Safety and Security

Windows and doors

Always make sure to close and lock your windows and doors when you leave your room. Our windows have restrictors to prevent over-opening – these should not be removed. Never wedge your door open as it compromises the safety of you and your belongings. 

Keys

Your key may be a door access card, like a hotel, or it could be a physical key that you turn to open and lock your door. It's critical to keep your keys safe. Do not label your keys with your address or leave them in bags with your identification. If you lose your keys, it is important to notify us immediately. 

You can do this by:

• Contacting your reception during opening hours or your hub reception outside of these hours. 
• Contacting Security on 0191 208 6817 or via the Help Points located at each residence.

For more information, please refer to our Key Policy. 

People you don’t know

All University colleagues and contractors working on behalf of the University carry identification. If someone requests access to your room without confirming who they are, please ask for their identification – a genuine caller will be happy to provide this. You can also contact your reception during business hours, the Hub Reception outside of those hours, or call Security on 0191 208 6817. The University’s Security team regularly patrols our residences and are available 24/7. We also have a Northumbria Police Beat Manager on campus, who can be reached through Security. 

Protecting your valuables

It is important that you do not let strangers into your home. Protect your valuable items, such as laptops and phones, by keeping them out of sight and securing them for free with Immobilise. This is another reason why we recommend locking your bedroom/flat doors.

For your health and safety, you need to let us know if you’re going to be away for seven days or more. 

Insurance information

Please see our insurance information for details about your Personal Possessions Insurance. This insurance is included as standard in your accommodation contract. 

Repairs and maintenance

If you find an issue with your accommodation or the surrounding grounds, it is important that you let us know as soon as possible. Our Maintenance team will try to solve the problem quickly.

Accident prevention

• Do not climb onto buildings or roofs, and do not enter areas marked "Keep Out". 
• Check for any trailing cables on the floor that could cause a trip hazard.
• Make sure that you understand what to do in the event of an accident or fire.

Safe environment

The electrical devices you bring into your room must comply with British Safety Standards regulations. Information can be found in our Electric and Gas Safety section.

Make sure you dispose of food properly and keep the bins from overflowing. All University-owned residences have designated bin storage areas. If our colleagues observe anything concerning, this could lead to a specialist clean being carried out and the costs being charged to you. For more information, refer to our Cleaning Standard.

Dangerous items

It is important that you do not have items in your room that could be dangerous. These items include: fireworks, knives, or airguns. Heating equipment, including electric and gas heaters, cooking equipment, candles, oil lamps, or anything else with a flame are fire hazards and not allowed. Check our Fire Safety section for more information. 

If you want to bring furniture, ask your Residences Team for permission first. They will make sure it follows the fire and safety guidelines. You can view a copy of our Health and Safety policy at your residence reception.

Residents with a disability 

If you have a disability or temporary mobility issue, reach out to your Residences Team as soon as possible. They will make necessary arrangements, such as a personal evacuation plan for emergencies.

Keeping safe

It is essential that you keep yourself safe when on campus, out in Newcastle, and when travelling to and from your accommodation. Safezone is a free app that connects you to University Security immediately. If you raise an alarm or call for assistance, on-campus security will be alerted so that they can help. 

For overseas students new to the UK, The British Council has produced an International Student Safety Guide covering many areas of keeping safe.

Contacting us

If you experience an accident or have any concerns about your health and safety or that of a friend or fellow student, you should get in touch with your residence reception. In an emergency, call security on 0191 208 6817. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help with emergencies.

We work hard to make sure that our residences are fire-safe. Here are some things you can do to keep yourself and your friends safe.

It is important that you understand what to do in the event of a fire. Please don't take any chances. The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has produced a short video on fire safety for students. We recommend that you watch it. 

Our responsibilities 

Equipment 

We are responsible for installing heat and smoke detectors in our University-owned residences. These areas include: kitchens, passageways, and staircases. We also ensure that bedrooms have multi-sensor smoke and/or heat detection equipment.

Testing

It is our responsibility to make sure that the equipment is working effectively. We will carry out weekly fire alarm checks, which you will be informed about in advance. During term one, we will conduct a fire evacuation drill which will help you know what to do in the event of a real incident. You should treat this as an important safety feature. If you do not evacuate, you will be subject to the University’s disciplinary procedures and may be fined. We will provide personal evacuation plans or specialised equipment for students who have medical needs or mobility issues. 

Your responsibilities 

Awareness

It is important that you know how to safely and calmly evacuate during a fire. Please familiarise yourself with the ‘Fire Action’ notice in the kitchen, fire-fighting equipment, and the designated fire exits in your accommodation. 

Dangerous items

Fabrics should not be hung on walls, ceilings, or over electrical equipment. You are not allowed to have the following items in your room as they are fire hazards:

• Candles
• Flares
• Fireworks
• Joss sticks
• Deep fat fryers and chip pans
• Halogen lamps

Cooking

You should never leave the kitchen unattended if you are cooking. Our fire alarms are sensitive, so you need to keep fire doors closed when cooking and use the kitchen extractor to reduce the steam. If you want to take advantage of nice weather and use a barbeque, you must get permission from the Assistant Residences Manager or Team Leader. They will give you safety instructions and direct you to a suitable external area. You should ensure you tidy-up the area when finished.

Showers

Shower steam can set off fire alarms so always close the bathroom door before and after showering.

Fire-fighting equipment

You should always keep fire doors closed as they are an effective barrier to the spread of fire and smoke – do not wedge them open or tamper with their self-closing devices, or tamper with their self-closing devices. You should report any fault or damage to a fire door immediately - to your reception (during office hours) or to Security (out of hours). You should report any fault or damage to a fire door immediately. Do this by contacting your reception during office hours or to Security out of hours.  You can find a fire blanket in your kitchen.

It is extremely dangerous to interfere with fire-fighting equipment, fire detection systems, notices and information or fire break glasses. Do not cover the fire or smoke detectors. If you see anyone misusing the equipment, please notify Security immediately. These items are here for the safety of all residents and need to be used in the event of a real fire.

You will be subject to the University’s disciplinary procedures and may be fined if you set off a fire alarm or call the Fire and Rescue Service due to carelessness, negligence, or irresponsible behaviour. Please notify Security if you use any fire-fighting equipment so that we can replace it.

Fire evacuation 

If you hear a fire alarm, it is essential that you evacuate the building quickly and safely. Even during a fire drill, you should assume it is a real fire. Please follow these steps when the fire alarm sounds:

• Exit the Building: Leave the building, close all doors behind you, and gather at your designated assembly point. This information can be found on the Fire Action notice in your kitchen.
• Call 999: When you are at the assembly point, call 999 and request the fire brigade. Make sure to give them the exact location of the fire. 
• Contact Estate Security: Once the fire brigade is on the way, make sure to contact us and let us know what is happening. Reach them on 0191 208 6817.  
• Do not re-enter the Building: Do not go back inside the building until a member of the fire service or University colleague say it is safe. 

There are steps you can take to remain safe when using electricity and gas. Use our Guide to Appliances if you need help using the appliances in your  accommodation. 

Electricity 

It is important that you use mains electricity correctly. If you do not, you could cause serious harm to yourself and others. 

Our responsibilities 

Testing

All portable electrical appliances that we provide, including lamps and microwaves, are tested annually. Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) includes labelling each appliance with the date of the test and its pass/fail status. If a device fails the test, you will be asked not to use it, and we may remove it before replacing the item. For more information, refer to the Portable Appliance Testing document.

Your responsibilities 

You have a responsibility to keep yourself and others safe, you therefore should not operate high-power appliances (rated at 1000 watts or higher) in your bedroom. Check that cables from all your devices are safe and don't pose a fire or tripping hazard. 

Your electrical devices must meet the British Safety Standards regulations. If you’re an overseas student, it is important to make sure your travel adaptors are compliant with British Standard 1363. You can find this information on the adaptor. 

Gas

Our responsibilities 

We check all gas appliances regularly. Copies of Gas Safety Records are available from your reception.

Your responsibilities 

We ask that you visit the Gas Safe Register website to understand how to use gas safely. Please also see our Dangers of Carbon Monoxide document. 

If you smell gas, you should follow these steps immediately:

• Open windows and doors to allow the gas to escape
• Don’t use open flames
• Do not touch electrical switches - turning lights on or off can cause a fire
• Contact reception promptly. If reception is closed, call Security at 0191 208 6817 or use the Emergency Help Point located near Reception.

You can prevent cooking accidents in your accommodation by staying in the kitchen while you cook, making sure to use the right utensils and cookware. It is important to keep your appliances in good clean condition and follow cooking instructions carefully. Keep flammable objects such as tea towels away from the hob and oven. If you think one of your kitchen appliances is faulty, please report it immediately. 

If you notice a safety hazard in your accommodation, you should report it immediately. Depending on the severity of the hazard, you’ll need to report it in different ways. To see if the hazard is classified as an emergency, visit our Reporting a Fault page. If there is a fire, please call 999 immediately.