NFPA Announces ‘Campus Fire Safety for Students’ Campaign
NFPA and The Center for Campus Fire Safety raise student awareness of fire hazards in on- and off-campus housing during September and October.
From 2011 to 2015, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 4,100 structure fires per year in college buildings.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announces its partnering with The Center for Campus Fire Safety to promote their national “Campus Fire Safety for Students” campaign.
The campaign is designed to raise awareness about the dangers of fires among college-aged students who live in on- and off-campus housing.
According to NFPA’s latest report, “Structure Fires in Dormitories, Fraternities, Sororities and Barracks”, between 2011 and 2015, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 4,100 structure fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities and other related properties. Approximately seven in ten (72 percent) fires in these properties began in the kitchen or cooking area, accounting for 44 percent of civilian injuries and 14 percent of direct property damage.
The report also states that fires are more common between the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. and on weekends. September and October were the peak months for fires in dormitories.
“As college students settle into housing in dorms and off-campus apartments, it’s important they review fire safety tips to learn how to prevent fires, check smoke alarms and prepare escape plans,” says Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy for NFPA. “Staying in the kitchen when cooking, using flameless candles, and not overloading electrical outlets and power strips are all vital steps to reducing injuries and loss of life.”
The campaign provides resources for students, parents and fire safety educators that focus on fire safety in college housing. The resources have been designed for sharing through social media, on college websites, and for posting in dorms and on common area bulletin boards. They include:
- Videos
- Checklists
- Tip sheets
- Infographics and flyers
- Posters
During the 2016/2017 school year, two students lost their lives in off-campus housing. From 2000 through mid-August 2017, The Center states that 128 students died in 91 fires on college campuses, in Greek housing, or in privately owned off-campus housing within three miles of the campus. Of the 91 fires, 78 of them occurred in off-campus housing.
Learn more about campaign and find resources for students, parents and fire safety educators at www.nfpa.org/campus and www.campusfiresafety.org.
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