Safety
Fire safety
Fire hose reels are present in all complexes and townhouses (some complexes have what is known as dry-pipe fire systems). These have a bright red colour. In case of a small fire, you can operate the hose yourself. If the fire is too large and cannot be extinguished by you or other tenants, you should leave the residential unit immediately via the main stairs or fire escape. Do not use the lift.
But first warn the other tenants and alert the fire brigade (phone 112) and close windows and doors (do not lock them!). Also do not forget to warn the complex caretaker.
Adequate escape routes can be of vital importance during calamities. It is therefore not permitted to place bicycles, boxes, waste paper and the like in the corridors. The complex caretaker has the right to have these items removed at your expense. Use the fire hoses only in case of fire.
In case of power failure the emergency lighting will be activated (in the student complexes).
Burglary prevention
Despite various prevention measures, burglary can never be entirely prevented. But you can make it considerably more difficult for burglars to break in. There are professional burglars and occasional burglars. The professional burglar is in general not interested in your residential unit, but the occasional burglar is! He will seize every opportunity to enter your residential unit (via an open window or a door that is not locked). To break in he mostly uses simple tools such as a screwdriver, chisel, etc.
What can you do?
Call the police if you see anything suspicious.
Do not leave doors and windows open, not even if you are only away for a little while.
Do not leave your keys in the lock and do not hide them in your post box or elsewhere.
Make sure your residential unit does not look unoccupied when you are away (tell-tale signs are: closed curtains for several days, a letterbox crammed with mail).
Do not draw attention to your valuables, keep them out of view.
Record your property
Marking and recording. It often happens that people, after a burglary, are not able to give accurate descriptions of the goods that were stolen from them. If you record the particulars of your valuables, there is a greater chance that you will get your stolen property back. Another option is to mark your valuables.
Always report a burglary to the police!
Housing contents insurance
All tenants are obliged to take out a household contents insurance policy for their property. Thus, if your accommodation has been burgled, you will at any rate receive partial compensation for your loss.