When most folks think about college dorm rooms, a clean, organized, and sweet-smelling space isn't the first image that springs to mind. While there are certainly many students who do keep their rooms tidy, the stereotype is a cinder-block room littered with beer cans, stale pizza crusts, dirty laundry, and plain old garbage. There are questionable stains on most surfaces, while the air could really use some Febreeze—or, better yet, an open window.  

However, there's a big difference between a dorm room that's messy and unkempt and one that's downright dangerous because of hazardous mold, asbestos, fire hazards, unsafe furniture or infrastructure, poor air quality, or other issues.  

Have you fallen ill or been injured on a college campus, whether in a dorm or elsewhere? Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888.535.3686 or send a message by clicking here.  

The Most Common Dangerous Dorm Issues 

A lot of advice aimed at college kids and their parents focuses on dangers like physical attacks, sexual assault, the temptations of cheating, and, of course, drug and alcohol use. These are certainly issues to be aware of, and one bad decision in any of these areas can seriously derail a college career. Yet the often-hidden dangers that lurk in dorm rooms and common areas shouldn't be overlooked. Here are some of the most worrisome: 

• Toxic mold that can seriously compromise air quality 
• Asbestos and other airborne carcinogens 
• Trip and fall risks, such as loose tiles or slippery surfaces 
• Unstable bunk beds or other problems with college-issued furniture  
• Poorly maintained infrastructure—plumbing, walls, doors and windows, ceilings, electrical systems, HVAC—that could cause a variety of injuries or chronic illnesses 
• Fire hazards, from flammable materials to blocked exits to faulty alarms  

Keep Yourself (or Your Kids) Safe from Day One 

Of course, the best way to avoid injury is to prevent it. On move-in day, be sure to thoroughly assess the student's dorm room.

Be on the lookout for: 

• Furniture that's wobbly, falling apart, coming unscrewed or unsecured from the wall, or poorly maintained 
• Electrical outlets, lighting, plumbing fixtures, or any other infrastructural elements that aren't in tip-top condition 
• Signs of mold 
• Issues with indoor air quality  
• Tiles, molding, door jambs and thresholds, window frames, or other construction materials that don't seem sturdy and safe 
• Anything that makes you think twice about its safety 

Bring up your concerns with college representatives as soon as possible. Residential advisors, housing coordinators, and campus safety personnel will be on the scene, or you can find administrators' contact details in the informational packets your student will have received.  Should you run into roadblocks when voicing your complaints, turn to an attorney. Young adults' safety and health are paramount, and if securing those basic rights requires legal action, including mediation and litigation, so be it.

All Students Deserve a Safe Campus Environment 

Whether it's their first year or their fourth, students have a lot to worry about and focus on. The safety of their dormitories shouldn't be on that list. If student housing units are causing concern or have already led to health or safety problems, contact the Education Law Team at the Lento Law Firm. Call 888.535.3686 or click here now.