Security and Residential Safety

All community members have a role in keeping our residential communities secure. While security and guest policies are in place to support and facilitate access for those authorized to be in the residences, students play an essential role in maintaining security by avoiding the following activities:

  • Entering spaces without tapping your MIT ID (plastic ID or cell phone) to gain access
  • Giving your MIT ID (plastic ID or cell phone) to someone else or using someone else’s MIT ID to gain access to spaces
  • Allowing personal guests or visitors access to the residential building without signing in or tapping in as outlined in the residential hall guest policy.

Security Tips:

  • Don’t forget to tap your MIT ID each time you enter the residence hall.
  • Refrain from placing belongings in front of doors and windows.
  • Keep all stairwells and egresses clear to allow full building access, especially in emergencies.
  • To prevent unauthorized access, do not prop open building doors or windows, including your bedroom door. Always lock your door behind you when leaving your room.
  • Report suspicious tampering with physical security devices (doors, locks, etc.) to housingsecurity@mit.edu.

 

Keeping our Community Safe

Fire Safety

There are simple steps you can take to help prevent fires in your living areas, which have several causes, including overloading an electrical outlet or forgetting to turn off the stove. Please take a moment to review the fire safety information provided by the MIT Environment Health & Safety Office (EHS) and watch this short video about fire safety. When in doubt, always double-check whether you’ve left on a burner or forgot to unplug a device. 

If You Encounter a Fire

 Stay calm and immediately evacuate the area according to the procedure outlined below. Do not attempt to extinguish a fire unless it is necessary for you to escape. If an alarm is not already sounding, activate the nearest fire alarm pull station as you evacuate or, if this is not possible, yell “FIRE” as you depart the building. Please review the information on MIT’s Emergency Management website for additional guidance. 

Evacuation Procedure 

In the unlikely event of a fire, please evacuate as quickly as possible following the building evacuation procedure: 

  1. Find the nearest exit.
  2. Do not take the elevator.
  3. Activate the manual fire alarm if it is not already sounding.
  4. Travel along the right-hand side of corridors and stairwells.
  5. If possible, direct yourself to the designated assembly locations* for your building (indoor or outdoor) and away from fire lanes.
  6. Do not stand in front of the building entrance or otherwise block emergency responder access.
  7. If there is inclement weather, take shelter in nearby buildings wherever possible.
  8. Once the Cambridge Fire Department or housing staff gives the “all clear,” you may return to your room.

*Assembly locations are reported on the emergency evacuation plan posted on each floor next to elevators and stairs.

MIT has a number of fire and life safety policies, as well as resources from Housing and Residential Services and other campus partners. Residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with all on-campus safety policies.

Learn More

Protect Your Personal Belongings

 We want to remind you of the importance of obtaining insurance to protect personal property in the event of unforeseen situations like a fire, flooding, or theft. As detailed within your housing license agreement, personal property insurance is the means to recover losses or damage.