Being safe off campus includes traveling safely, keeping your apartment secure, and following fire safety guidelines. Follow us on social or view #SAFEhusky for more tips on being safe while living off campus and view recommendations and resources below.
Northeastern University Police
Northeastern University Police Department (NUPD) has may resources to help give you safe as you throughout the campus and nearby neighborhoods.
Red Eye Van and Safety Escort Service
Take the free RED EYE Van home. This service operates from dusk until dawn. The van will bring you from Snell Library to your off-campus apartment within 2 miles of campus. You must download the app to book your free ride.
If you need help traveling through campus, you may request an NUPD escort.
Safe Zone App
A helpful safety app to download, is NUPD’s SafeZone! Easily notify NUPD if you have an emergency, need first aid, or just need help. The app can be used both on and off campus. Off-campus emergency calls will be directed to 911. Check to see if you live within the SafeZone area in the video below, make sure to use while on campus.
Property Registration
NUPD offers students, staff, and faculty a FREE bicycle and electronic device registration. The bike/device model, serial number and details are recorded then transferred into an online database that is managed by NUPD. A weatherproof registration sticker is also installed on the bike/device. These recorded details are essential in the recovery of stolen bicycles and the property registration acts as a deterrent to potential theft.
NUPD Contact Information
Northeastern University Police Department – Find phone numbers, services and additional safety tips.
Emergency: Dial 617-373-3333 for on campus emergencies. Non-Emergency: Dial 617-373-2121 for information/non-emergency.
City of Boston Police Department Resources
Boston Police Department – View police blog, safety tips and contact information. Dial 9-1-1 for emergencies.
Transit Police – Policies, laws, and contact information. Dial 617-222-1212.
Personal Safety
Follow the guidance below to increase your safety off campus.
- Practice ride share safety when using Uber, Lyft or other for-hire car/taxi services.
- Know your neighbors so you can identify suspicious visitors.
- Avoid walking alone at night. If you choose to walk alone, especially at night, use well-lighted, familiar streets. Never take poorly lighted shortcuts through alleyways or wooded areas where someone may be hiding.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Plan your route and walk with confidence. Avoid wearing earbuds or talking on the phone.
- Fire escapes are to be used for emergency exit use only.
- If your apartment and/or building does not allow you access to a rooftop or deck, please respect this limitation. It is in place because those areas are not deemed safe for occupancy.
Apartment Security Tips
- Ensure all doors and windows lock properly. Keep doors locked at all times. Do not prop building doors open.
- Make sure your front door has a deadbolt lock and a peephole.
- If you have a sliding glass door, place a wooden rod in the door so it can’t be opened from the outside.
- Immediately report all suspicious activity, strangers loitering in or near the building or behavior by other residents or tenants that you feel presents a safety or security risk.
- Know who handles your maintenance (snow, trash, burned-out lights). There should be a maintenance contact and emergency contact outlined in your lease. Hazardous situations should be handled immediately.
- Ensure packages being delivered are secure, or request signature or a pick-up location.
Fire Safety
Make sure your apartment is fire safe. Review these simple steps.
Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Your apartment must have working smoke and CO2 detectors. You should test these upon move-in. Never remove these detectors. Report all missing or malfunctioning detectors to your landlord immediately.
Identify 2 Exits
You should have two exits (egress) from your apartment in case of an emergency. Never block your doors or windows with furniture, storage, or trash. View the video below and find more fire safety resources here.
Purchase rental insurance to protect your belongings
Renter’s insurance will protect your belongings from theft, flood, and fire. This low-cost protection will enable you to purchase replacement items should something happen.
Cook Safely: Never leave burners unattended.
Avoid kitchen fires by following these safe cooking guidelines:
- Always stay alert and present when cooking.
- Pot and pan handles should face inward so they cannot be knocked down.
- Do not keep anything flammable near the burner
- In case of fire, turn off burner immediately.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen.
How to respond during a fire.
- Leave immediately. There is no time to waste.
- Stay low to the ground.
- Feel doors to see if they are hot. If so, choose a different exit path.
- If you catch fire: stop, drop to the ground, and roll around quickly to extinguish flames.
- Once out of the building, and safe, you should dial 9-1-1.
Lithium Battery Safety
The proper use of lithium-ion batteries is essential to your safety. If you have electronic devices that use these batteries, such as e-scooters, always use appropriate charging devices and eliminate use if cords are fraying, hot, or begin to smell burned.
City of Boston Fire Resources
Boston Fire Safety Website – City of Boston Fire Prevention Unit