On This Page
Safety
Make Safety a Priority. DON’T Become a VICTIM. OPD Crime Prevention Tips
Personal Safety
- The number one tip for personal safety is STAY AWARE AND BE ALERT!
- Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uneasy, get away from that situation as quickly as possible.
- Use the buddy system.
- Take care of each other!
- Go out together, come home together.
- Don’t trust strangers.
- Don’t leave with people you don’t know.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Don’t walk alone at night.
- Call Nighttime door to door (NDD) van, 529-2277 M-W, 6pm-2am, TH-Sun, 6pm-4am.
- OPD Personal Safety Tips
Top of Page
Home Safety
- Insist that ALL Roommates Have a Key—Carry a Key—USE THE KEY
- Lock all doors and windows to keep strangers out.
- Many burglars spend no more than 60 seconds trying to break into a home. Good locks, good lighting, and good neighbors who watch out for each other can be major deterrents to burglars.
- Thieves hate bright lights. Make sure all outside entrances are well lit. Keep the outside lights on all night.
- Make sure your house number is clearly visible and easily found by emergency personnel who may be responding to your home.
- If something looks questionable - a slit screen, an open or broken window, or an open door - don't go in. Call the police immediately from a safe location and keep the home under observation if you can.
OPD Home Safety Tips
Oxford Police Department (513)523-4231 or (513)524–5240
Emergency: 9-1-1 (if on campus, dial 9-911)
Crime Tip Line (513)524–5249
MUPD Campus Safety Information
Miami University Police (513)529–2222
Emergency: on campus 9-911
Top of Page
Fire Safety
Smoke Detectors: A Working Smoke Alarm more than doubles the chances of surviving a fire
- All rental properties shall be equipped with a smoke detector in every room used for sleeping (OCO Section PM-308.1).
- Smoke detectors are required on every level of your home, including the basement, and outside each sleeping area.
- Test detectors every month, following the manufacturer's directions.
- Disabled Detectors Don’t Save Lives.
Use Electricity Safely
- Do not overload extension cords or run them under rugs.
- If an electrical appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it immediately, then have it serviced before using it again.
- Replace any electrical cord that is cracked or frayed.
- Don't tamper with your fuse box or use improper-size fuses.
Smoking
- Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths in North America.
- Oxford, Ohio had a tragic fire in April 2005 where 3 Miami University students died. The fire investigation determined that smoldering ashes in a couch started the fire.
- Provide smokers with large, deep non-tip ashtrays and soak butts with water before discarding them.
- Before going to bed or leaving home after someone has been smoking, check under and around cushions and upholstered furniture for smoldering cigarettes.
Space Heaters
- Keep portable heaters and space heaters at least 3 feet (1 meter) from flammables.
- Oxford, Ohio had an apartment fire in fall 2005 that was caused by a bedskirt being too close to a floor heater.
- Never leave heaters on when you leave home or go to bed.