What to do in emergencies

You'll find this information useful if you're currently living in the Student Village, Peter Taylor House, Swinhoe, Anastasia House, Collier Road or any of our University houses.

If you live somewhere else, speak to staff in your accommodation or check your residents' handbook.

In case of fire

Raise the alarm (by pressing alarm activation points and shouting 'fire fire fire')
Evacuate the building (to a designated assembly point, or away from the building)
Call for help: Fire Service: 999, University security (Cambridge security: 01223 698368, Chelmsford security: 01245 686666)

All our accommodation is fully equipped with fire alarm systems and fire fighting equipment for your safety. You should play an active role in ensuring that fire alarms and equipment are not tampered with, abused, and that you are not put in any unnecessary danger.

You should ensure that you are familiar with the location of the fire exits, fire evacuation notices and equipment, spend a few minutes of your time familiarising yourself with these notices and operational instructions.

Watch our video:

In case of illness

We recommend that you register with a doctor (GP) as soon as possible after you join ARU. The Cambridge campus has a Medical Centre and the GP practice in Chelmsford is right next to the Student Village at Rivermead Gate Medical Centre. Other local health services can be found on the NHS website.

If you become ill, you should contact your GP surgery during their opening times, or dial 111 to speak to the NHS 24-hour telephone helpline, which is open 365 days a year. If you need an ambulance dial 999. Calls to both numbers are free from landlines and mobile phones.

Are you worried about your mental wellbeing or that of a friend?

You can get help from ARU's Counselling and Wellbeing Team. During office hours please call 01245 686700.

Out-of-hours helpline: please call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit their website: www.samaritans.org. This is a helpline for any mental health matters or concerns you may have. The service is available 24 hours. They can help with a range of issues including bereavement, relationship problems, loneliness, isolation and stress.

If you have been a victim of crime

Please contact University Security (Cambridge: 01223 698368, Chelmsford: 01245 686666) if the crime has happened on campus or in a University-managed property; they can assist you. You can also call the police on 999 regardless of the location of the crime. For non-urgent reporting of crime, call your local police station on 101.

If you have no electricity

If you lose your electricity supply between the hours of 8.30am and 5.30pm please contact the Facilities Helpdesk on 01245 686464, who will arrange for someone to come out to you. If you lose electricity outside of these times please contact your Residential Assistant or ARU Security.

If you can smell gas

If you can smell gas between the hours of 8.30am and 5.30pm, please contact the Facilities Helpdesk on 01245 686464 who will arrange for someone to come out to you. If you smell gas outside of these times please contact your Residential Assistant or ARU Security who will deal with the situation. You can also contact the Gas Emergency Service directly on 0800 111 999.

In the event of a gas leak:

Don't smoke or use naked flame
Don't turn electric switches on or off
Turn the gas supply off at the mains
Open doors and windows to let the gas escape

If you see a flood or a leak

If you see a flood or leak between the hours of 8.30am and 5.30pm, please contact the Facilities Helpdesk on 01245 686464 who will arrange for someone to come out to you. If a flood or water leak occurs outside of these times please contact your Residential Assistant or ARU Security who will assist you.