As college students settle into their dorms or apartments,
unpack and purchase textbooks, they should add another important
item to the to-do list: fire safety.
To help keep students safe during the school year, with the
help of the Center for Campus Fire Safety and Underwriters
Laboratories, the International Code Council offers safety
recommendations:
When students first move in:
Make sure the smoke alarms in the room, suite, apartment
and floor are in place and working. If not, contact the
resident assistant, landlord or install them.
Arrange furniture and decorations so that all automatic
fire sprinkler heads are clear. Do not hang anything from
fire sprinklers.
Keep furniture clear of windows and doors for quick exiting.
Never prop stairway doors open. Keep hallways clear.
Identify all emergency exits on your floor. In case of
fire, elevators will not be in service.
Find the fire extinguisher and check that the pressure
level is good. In off-campus housing, if there is no extinguisher,
buy one and keep it in the kitchen.
Never overload electrical outlets. Do not staple, tape
or nail extension cords or run them under carpeting. Use
UL-listed electrical power strips and unplug appliances
when not in use.
Throughout the school year:
Never ignore a fire alarm; fires can spread quickly. Evacuate
immediately even when there is no smoke present. Have an
escape plan and know evacuation routes.
Always identify two ways out of a building. The entrance
may be blocked.
If candles are allowed, store in appropriate containers
and handle with care. Never place an open flame near curtains,
posters or anything flammable. Keep candles away from fans,
open windows or anywhere they can be knocked over. Never
leave burning candles unattended.
Do not use portable grills or camp stoves inside.
When smoking, use an ashtray. After parties, check furniture
cushions for smoldering cigarette butts.
Do your part to reduce campus fire
deaths. Read
the release.
Deadly Fires Threaten College Campuses:
Don't think it can't happen to you. This news release
from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) provides a
checklist of safety tips students can use to reduce the
risk of fire.
How fire safe is your school?
The Center for Campus Fire Safety provides a list of questions
to ask about fire
safety on campus.
Campus Fire Safety Fact Sheet.
Facts about campus
fires, including locations (on versus off-campus), number
killed, schools and states. Addresses related legislation.
Check your school's fire rating.
The Princeton Review lists school fire
safety ratings.
Fire Safety 101: for Colleges and
Universities. The U.S. Fire Administration Web site
has a list of safety
tips on-line and to download.
Living with Fire: Campus and Student
Fire Safety. Geared toward fire safety educators, this
U.S. Fire Administration Program includes a variety of resources,
including lesson plans, PowerPoint presentations, photos and
links to help improve fire safety, both on and off-campus.
The Web site, A
Program for Campus and Student Fire Safety, is maintained
by the Center for Campus Fire Safety.
Campus Fire Safety Legislation. "Campus
Fire Safety Right-to-Know" language was added to the College Access and
Opportunity Act. Read
more.
