IS IT SAFE WHERE YOU LIVE?-Safety Score

When you are trying to evaluate that safety of that place you are planning to rent or you are already living in you should take the following elements into consideration.

1. OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Is the street well lit?

Does your property have lights__in front, __on the side, __in the back?

Are the lights in working order?

2. LANDSCAPING

Are shrubs trimmed low enough not to obstruct views?

3. EXTERIOR DOOR SYSTEM

Is the exterior door solid core or metal?

Is the door support frame tight fitting?

Is there a solid deadbolt lock on the front door?

Are hinges mounted on the interior side?

Is there a viewing device that gives you 180 degrees viewing of the entrance area?

4. WINDOWS

Are all windowpanes intact?

Do all windows have interior locks? Do all locks work properly?

Are all windows accessible from the ground protected?

If bars are installed, are they fastened to masonry?

Do you have at least one window per room where the bar is operable from inside, in case of a fire?

5. FIRE EXITS

Are all fire exits protected to prevent unauthorized entry yet allow exit?

6. INTERCOM BUZZER SYSTEM

Is your intercom buzzer system working properly?

7. FIRE SAFETY

Are there functioning smoke detectors in your building/apartment?

Are there fire extinguishers in your building/apartment?

Are there fire exits and appropriate signage?

8. INTERIOR SAFETY

Is the door to your apartment secure, solid, and tight in its frame?

Do you have a good working lock?

Is there a peephole viewer on your doors?

Are the hallways well-lit?

Are all the electric bulbs working?

Are there mirrors at bends, to prevent someone waiting unseen?

Are mailboxes appropriately placed to prevent tampering by outsiders?

9. RENTSAFE PRACTICE

Does the company you rent from practice and effective key control system?

(How are keys duplicated and handled)

Are apartment doors re-keyed between tenants?

Are you notified of landlord/agent/maintenance person's intent to enter premises?

Does your property owner/manager routinely check and maintain all security feature of the property?

Do you know your neighbors and communicate with them?

 

High “yes” answers indicate that the building you live in and the company you rent from has a high safety score and the opportunity for burglary is significantly reduced. High “no” answers indicate a low safety score and you will need to contact your landlord about it. Always address your concerns in writing.

If you've already signed a lease and see problems , outline them in writing to your landlord or Real Estate Company. Ask for specific changes to secure the area. If they won't agree, and you can't get out of the lease, have the changes made your self. It's better to be slightly broke then very unsafe. You may also want to call the SGA's legal intern at 348-4960 for help in determining your next step in dealing with your landlord. OCA can also assist you if you are a member in good standing.

The University of Alabama does not charter any organizations with off-campus facilities. All recognized student organizations are headquartered on campus and may use the services of UADPS.

 

SAFETY and Security Tips

Safety

1. Keep doors and windows locked
2. Cover windows completely, blinds curtains etc.
3. Never answer the door without knowing who it is.
4. Do not give out keys, entry or lock combinations.
5. Use a light timer or leave the radio or TV on if you are not home in the evening.
6. Call 911 for emergencies
7. Park and walk in a well-lit area
8. Try not to walk or exercise alone
9. Try not to sunbathe alone
10. Always lock your car
11. Always be aware of your surroundings
12. Mark and take picture of your personal possessions

Fire Safety

1. Portable heaters can be dangerous if used improperly. Read instructions carefully.
2. Remember that kerosene heaters are illegal in any multi-unit dwelling.
3. Don't leave your cooking unattended.
4. Don't overload electrical outlets!
5. Store flammables safely.
6. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
7. Never burn a candle near drafts or anything that can catch fire.

Evacuation

1. If you smell smoke or discover a fire, activate the building alarm.
2. Know where your fire alarms are located and how they operate and whether or not they actually alert the Fire Department.
3. If you hear and alarm, leave at once-do not delay. And close all doors behind you!
4. Call 911
5. Have an escape plan. Know where the fire exits are, and have two escape routes from each room.
6. Accommodate the needs of people who may need help to escape.
7. Have a safe place where everyone can meet for a headcount.
8. Make sure all residents know the plan, and schedule fire drills at least twice a year.
9. Avoid elevators. Use the stairs.
10. Feel all doors before opening; if it feels hot, or if smoke is seeping out. DO NOT OPEN IT
11. If you become trapped in your apartment and cannot reach a fire exit, do not panic. Close your door and seal off any cracks with wet towels. If you can, call the Fire Department, give them your name, address and location in the building.
12. Open a window for air and signal for help. Do not jump! WAIT for help.
13. If in smoke or heat, stay low, where the air is better. Take short, quick breaths through the nose until you reach safety.

SAFETY TIPS – On the street:

1. Stay in well – lit areas. Walk mid-point between curbs and buildings, away from alleys, entries, and bushes.
2. Stay near people. Avoid short – cuts through parks, vacant lots, and other deserted places.
3. Carry only necessary credit cards and money.
4. Avoid using outdoor ATMs
5. Carry a whistle with you at all times.
6. Do not stop to give directions or other information to strangers.
7. Never hitchhike.
8. If you are followed, be suspicious. Keep looking behind you and you may discourage the follower.
9. If someone is following you in a car, turn around and walk in the opposite direction. If that person persists, record the license number and call the police immediately.
10. If someone is following you on foot, cross the street, change directions, or vary your pace.
11. If you must carry a purse or handbag, keep it close to your body. This will minimize the chances of theft. If your purse is snatched, don't fight. Turn it over rather than risk personal injury. Report the incident as soon as possible.

 

CHOOSING A ROOMATE

Here are some suggestions for things roommates should consider and discuss before they decide to share a place:

1. Study Time . What time of day do you prefer to study? How much noise can you tolerate when studying?
2. Sharing of space and personal items . How will you divide refrigerator space? Which items are you willing to share? DO you want to be asked for permission before an item is borrowed? What can be shared, borrowed or is off limits?
3. Household chores and apartment condition . Who is responsible for cleaning the areas that you share and how often? How should you divide up the work?
4. Handling Payment of bills.
5. Rent . How will rent be paid – one check or separate? What if someone is late? Can the roommate afford the rent? If your roommate doesn't pay the rent, you are legally responsible for their portion of the rent
6. Utilities and Telephone Bill . How are utility accounts set up? Who will be responsible for the payment to the utility company? How do you divide expenses? Will you have separate telephone lines or one line to be used by all? If so, telephone companies can assign special codes to roommates to keep track of phone calls and bill separately.
7. Smoking, Drinking . If you are a non – smoker, make sure you find out if your roommates smoke. If you and your roommates are over 21 years of age, how do you feel about drinking alcohol in the apartment?
8. Quiet Time . What time do you go to bed? How many hours of sleep do you need? How loud do you want your music playing?
9. Mail/Telephone . When is it too late to receive a phone call? How do you want your messages taken?
10. Guests . How do you feel about overnight guests, boyfriend's, girlfriend's long term visits? How about parties? How often are you planning to party? Who will clean up? At what point does a “guest” become an additional roommate? You cannot bring in friend to live with you if your other roommates do not approve of it, to say nothing of the fact that this may be a violation of your lease.
11. Privacy . What are your needs for privacy and what are the other roommates' needs?
12. Security . Locking doors, windows when you are at home and when you are away. Will you keep and extra key? Should anyone beside the roommates have a key? Your lease says “NO”
13. Pets . Are pets allowed by your lease? Are you allergic to cats, for example? How many pets are you willing to have in the apartment?
14. Moving Out . Who will clean that apartment at move out time? Will all roommates be there at the end of the lease? The responsibility for cleaning belongs to all roommates.

During your tenancy, communicate with each other . Talk honestly and openly to your roommates. People get on each other's nerves and sometimes become upset. Roommates are no exception. If you are upset or if your roommate is upset, give each other room and time to calm down and reconsider. Work at your relationship with your roommates. Don't let anger or discontent pile up and explode. Most roommate conflicts are manageable if communication is kept open, financial responsibilities are met and the established house rules are used as a guide.

 

A STUDENTS GUIDE TO TUSCALOOSA LIVING

From the City of Tuscaloosa Environmental Services (ESD)

(A01-0892)

Welcome to Tuscaloosa , we are happy that you have chosen to live off – campus in one of Tuscaloosa 's beautiful neighborhoods. Adjusting to college is a life experience that you will never forget. It is an exciting time for you in Tuscaloosa and with that excitement come responsibility as well. Whether you are a freshman or a graduate student, it helps to know what the laws are here in our city. This one page guide will help you to adjust to Tuscaloosa and make living here and even more wonderful experience! Once again, we are happy to have you in our city.

•  Please pick up trash when you see it on our streets; we all help in our city

•  Please maintain your yard by keeping it free of litter and freshly mowed OR YOU CAN BE FINED!!

•  Remember that we have a “Noise” Ordinance in Tuscaloosa and it is enforced by the Police.

•  Respect your neighbors if you are considering a party; call them to let them know the date and time of the party and give them your phone number so they can call you if the noise is too loud. This is a lot easier than having to deal with the POLICE!!

•  The drug laws are actively enforced and you will be treated just as anyone else if caught!

•  Remember, except in R-4S zoned complexes, the law is only 3 Unrelated People to live in one house.

•  Remember our city DOES have a leash law and it is enforced.

•  As renters, you do have the right to expect proper and working locks on your doors, locks on your windows and outdoor lighting to be provided by your landlord for your protection and safety.

•  It is a good idea to purchase renter's insurance that includes theft. You can purchase a policy for around $100 - $200 (annually) from any agency of your choice.

•  Please remove your garbage cart from the street within 24 – hours after pick up. The Environmental Services Department (ESD) Code Enforcement Officer will be enforcing this and other laws strictly.

•  Please put your household garbage in your GREEN GARBAGE CART ONLY. DO NOT PUT GARBAGE BAGS AND OTHER GARBAGE CONTAINERS ON THE CURB BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT BE PICKED UP AND YOU CAN BE FINED!

•  Please put your TRASH (tree limbs, couches, rugs, yard clippings, etc) on the curb the day before your scheduled TRASH PICK – UP!

•  REMBER – GARBAGE IS 2 DAYS A WEEK AND TRASH IS 1 DAY A WEEK! If you need to know your pick-up days, PLEASE CALL Environmental Services at 349-0260 and they will help you.

•  If you are in a rental house; unless your lease requires you to do so, your landlord should provide you with and approved garbage cart ! Please inquire about this from your landlord!

•  Parking in front yards located in Historic Districts is ILLEGAL AND WILL BE ENFORCED ACTIVELY!!

•  Placement, use, or storage of household furniture or appliances, not manufactured for outdoor use, is strictly prohibited outside any dwelling .

This guide was put together to EDUCATE you on the CITY LAWS, NOT TO MAKE YOU FEEL THREATENED. Please just follow the laws and you will find that we can all get along!

City of Tuscaloosa (205)349-2010 – City hall

Post Office Box 2089 (205)3490228 – Action Line

Tuscaloosa , AL 35403 (205)349-0260 – ESD

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