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Parking and Transportation

Make arrangements for the number of vehicles you will be parking on the property, and be sure that your rental agreement allows this. You may also want to discuss parking arrangements with your neighbors.

If you or your guests have to park on the street, keep in mind that it is illegal to park:

  • on the street without current and proper vehicle license plates
  • on or within 20 feet of a crosswalk
  • within five feet of the end of a curb leading into a public or private driveway
  • within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
  • on any sidewalk
  • within 30 feet of a traffic sign or signal

Information about on-campus vehicle registration, which is free for Puget Sound students, designated parking areas, parking for persons with disabilities, regulations, and sanctions is available at Security Services, located at 3206 N. 15th Street (253.879.3311).

Security Escort Program

Puget Sound Security Services offers a security escort program 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Escorts are available to locations on and off campus. Depending on the time of the request, escorts may be provided by a local taxi company. The ride will be billed to and paid for by the university. Security escorts are available within the following boundaries:

  • East: the corner of Division and I Streets
  • West: North Stevens Street
  • North: North 30th Street
  • South: 6th Avenue

See the Map (JPG)

Note: Dependant on staff availability, escorts to and from off campus locations may be provided by a local taxi company at the request and expense of the university.

To request an escort, please call the Security Services office at 253.879.3311.

Fire Safety

Much of fire safety and protection is common sense. Keep in mind the following to protect yourselves and your belongings.

  • Accumulated mail, newspapers, garbage, and other combustibles are very real fire hazards. Try to keep things tidy and away from heat sources.
  • Keep space heaters and halogen lamps away from flammables, such as clothing, paper, and curtains, and never leave them unattended. Halogen lamps should have a cover over the top to prevent objects from falling on the bulb.
  • If you or your roommates smoke, make sure to extinguish and dispose of your cigarette butts in an appropriate container. Unextinguished butts can smolder for hours in couches, beds, and trash cans before igniting.
  • Develop a fire escape route, and familiarize yourself with all exits and windows. Know two exits accessible from where you sleep. Each bedroom must have at least one window that opens to the outside.
  • Put out candles and incense when unattended. If you have a barbecue, place it at least 10 feet from any structure, including your porch.
  • Make sure your address is clearly visible from the street so that fire and rescue response teams can quickly identify your house in an emergency.
  • If your smoke detector keeps beeping even though there is no smoke, it's probably the batteries. Tenants are responsible for maintaining smoke detectors by replacing batteries. If your detector is defective, let your landlord know immediately.
  • Overloading electrical outlets creates a dangerous fire hazard, particularly in some of the older homes near campus. If you use power strips, plug them directly into outlets, not into extension cords. Using too many extension cords can overload wiring and spark a fire.

You can find more safety tips and a fire safety checklist by clicking on Tacoma Fire Department.

Extended Breaks

If you will be leaving your house or apartment unattended over the winter, spring, or summer breaks, you should consider taking some of the following steps to ensure that your house stays safe.

  • Let your landlord and neighbors know when you plan to leave and return, so they can keep an eye on things. You might want to leave a key with a friend or neighbor. Don't leave a key hidden anywhere outside!
  • Ask someone to collect your mail, or ask the post office to hold it. You can submit a temporary change of address form online if you will be at a different address for more than a few weeks. Stop regular deliveries of newspapers.
  • Don't leave a message on your answering machine saying that you are away!
  • Set your heat to 55 degrees. Don't turn off your heat during the winter, because your pipes could freeze and burst. Lower the setting on your water heater, and turn it back up when you return.
  • Close shades or curtains to keep your home cooler and keep people from looking in.
  • Dispose of trash and recycling, and wash up any dishes in the sink (dirty dishes and trash attract bugs and mice).
  • If you aren't driving your car, leave it parked off the street if possible (but don't block access to sidewalks).