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Original poster

University, smoking inside and covering smoke alarms

35 replies

Ilovemyshoppingtrolley · 17/09/2019 15:07

DC started Uni recently. It has come to light that one of the students in her flat 1st covered the smoke alarm in the kitchen with a carrier bag and then 2 nights later covered it with a sock.

DC spoke with security about carrier bag and they removed it and spoke with the student responsible. After the sock incident DC again reported it and security have said they will email student.

DC has only been there 3 nights, so this is 2 out of 3 nights. What is concerning me is - if he is doing this in the communal area (there is only 3 people to their flat) what is he doing in his room? I am worried that if there was a fire in his room and he has covered the smoke alarm and was asleep etc (doesn't bear thinking about), they are on the 4th floor.

Part of me wants DC to go ad ask to be moved as I'm not sure I would trust him to follow the rules and regulations. I do have another DC at uni so I kind of know how students live.

What would you advise your DC to do? I don't want DC to be called a snitch or be a pain to the security but at the same time I am worried for their safety. Or maybe I am over reacting!! Hmm

OP posts:
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Original poster
Ilovemyshoppingtrolley · 13/10/2019 21:08

So do I! He clearly has no respect for others.

OP posts:
FurnitureAndBackgammon · 13/10/2019 20:35

Oh how awful. Hopefully she'll get proof soon enough and he'll be out on his ear!

Original poster
Ilovemyshoppingtrolley · 13/10/2019 19:34

I guess they would still have to have evidence that it was him smoking and not my DC planting it. (although I know my DC wouldn't do such a thing!)

OP posts:
Ginfordinner · 13/10/2019 19:30

Can your DC take photos of any evidence?

Original poster
Ilovemyshoppingtrolley · 13/10/2019 19:27

Well it lasted a week! My DC smelled smoke in the corridor of the flat so spoke with Reception. They agreed they could also smell smoke but he was out and there was no sign of ashtrays or cigarettes! So they can't use that as evidence. I guess they will have to keep doing spot checks and hope to catch him.

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FurnitureAndBackgammon · 13/10/2019 16:23

Ugh, I'd almost be hoping he smokes again so he would be kicked out.

Yes me too. He'll probably stop for a few months then start againHmm

puppyconfetti · 13/10/2019 12:38

Smoke ALARM

puppyconfetti · 13/10/2019 12:37

Meh I don't think it's that bad, it sounds pretty normal. Least he's not doing bongs

It's not what he is 'doing' that is the problem though. It's the fact the smoke always is being covered and in the event of a fire people could DIE Hmm

Djimino · 13/10/2019 12:33

Ugh, I'd almost be hoping he smokes again so he would be kicked out.

Ginfordinner · 13/10/2019 11:32

Brilliant. I don't understand why you don't think it is an issue Fizzypoo.
What is so annoying isn't just that the student in question thinks that covering a smoke alarm is OK, but that they think that health and safety regulations don't apply to them. They are sticking two fingers up against "the system".

thetideishigh · 11/10/2019 12:09

That's great news !

Original poster
Ilovemyshoppingtrolley · 10/10/2019 19:57

I did get a response. Now they have 'evidence' they have given him a final warning. If they catch him again then they will start court proceedings to evict him. They will also inform the police, fire services, his university and his guarantor. They have given my DC the telephone number so they can ring down if he does it again. They are also doing on the spot checks without any warnings several times a day.

OP posts:
thetideishigh · 10/10/2019 14:47

Can you report the accommodation provider to the University too ?

Your dc could seek out student support services. make out they aren't sleeping properly for worrying about a fire in the night, anything to escalate the situation.

The smoker is beyond selfish and needs a bill of £100 for each time they blocked the alarm and an eviction notice. Plenty of other accommodation out there, they need to find a bunch of fellow smokers to share with so their home can stink as much as they like.

FurnitureAndBackgammon · 10/10/2019 10:45

Did you ever get a reply @Ilovemyshoppingtrolley?

Original poster
Ilovemyshoppingtrolley · 03/10/2019 20:45

I've emailed (don't expect a reply tonight) but want to know what . they are going to do. Obviously the email didn't work!

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jackparlabane · 03/10/2019 20:41

Most halls fine students £100 for tampering with smoke alarms, and then throw them out for repeat offences. Ditto for conference guests in same accommodation. It's odd they haven't in this case.

Fizzypoo · 03/10/2019 20:32

Meh I don't think it's that bad, it sounds pretty normal. Least he's not doing bongs.

Original poster
Ilovemyshoppingtrolley · 03/10/2019 20:29

Solitaryradiator I understand what you are saying but it's the fact that the student is covering the smoke alarm and that they are on the 4th floor.

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Solitaryradiator · 03/10/2019 20:18

I wouldn’t panic though. Don’t forget it’s only been the last decade or so that you couldn’t smoke in halls. We used to lie on the beds smoking all night.

FurnitureAndBackgammon · 03/10/2019 20:12

Can’t believe this is still going on. As you say they’re probably fobbing your DD off as she is young. Bloody cheek. Apart from the safety aspect who wants all their stuff stinking of smoke? Angry

Definitely phone up and give them hell!!!!!

Original poster
Ilovemyshoppingtrolley · 03/10/2019 20:04

I am beyond cross. DC has just had to go down to Reception yet again as the student had blocked the smoke alarm yet again and the kitchen absolutely stank of smoke and my DC's room is the furthest away from the kitchen stinks too.

Have told my DC enough is enough, I am complaining. I feel they are fobbing her off even though they have seen the smoke alarm blocked ad twice now made the student take the blockage off.

Grr!

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Original poster
Ilovemyshoppingtrolley · 01/10/2019 20:43

They are monitoring it. I've told DC to be firm with the accommodation people. The accommodation flats are for students but are not owned by the university but a private company.

If nothing is done then I will intervene but I am trying to hold back as I want/need DC to sort this out. It's so hard to do what's best, especially when safety is involved.

OP posts:
FurnitureAndBackgammon · 01/10/2019 12:34

Did your DC say anymore OP?

My Dd should be going to uni next year but this kind of thing really worries me Confused

RedWineAllMine · 30/09/2019 22:59

What uni is this? Only asking as it sounds familiar.

FurnitureAndBackgammon · 30/09/2019 22:45

Yes that can't be right, if there was a fire and, God forbid, any casualties the university would be totally at fault as it was foreseeable and several complaints had been made.

I think, in your shoes, I would be phoning them myself and putting a complaint in. That student needs to go Angry