WASHINGTON—Eighty-five percent of university housing fire fatalities occurred in off-campus housing from January 2000 to July 2010, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). Approximately two-thirds of students live in off-campus housing.
Furthermore, campus-firewatch.com reports that from 2005 to 2007, 23 percent of fires occurred in September and October, which is considered the peak period. As the fall 2010 semester begins, many students will soon be moving into campus residence halls and off-campus housing apartments. Here are a few tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to help students practice fire safety, and hopefully prevent any fire-related incidents during the school year.
When students first move into their new digs, it is imperative that they follow the following steps to ensure their safety:
- Make sure the smoke alarms in the room, suite, apartment, and floor are in place and working. If not, students should contact their landlord to have them installed.
- Arrange furniture and decorations to ensure 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.
- Never overload electrical outlets.
Additionally, campus-firewatch.com reports that 83 percent of campus housing fires are cooking fires; 20 percent of non-confirmed university housing fires in bedrooms were started by candles. With that in mind, here are some more tips to offer students:
- Cook only where permitted.
- Keep cooking areas clean and uncluttered.
- Do not overload circuits if using electric appliances.
- Never leave cooking unattended.
- If a fire starts in a microwave, keep the door closed and unplug the unit.
- Do not leave burning candles unattended.
- Keep candles away from draperies and linens.
Smoking is also a leading cause for campus housing-related fires:
- Only smoke outside of the building.
- Use deep, wide, sturdy ashtrays. Ashtrays should be set on something sturdy and hard to ignite.
- It is risky to smoke when you have been drinking or are drowsy.
- Never smoke in bed.
- Soak cigarettes before emptying an ashtray.
- After a party, check furniture and cushions for smoldering butts.
Lastly, in case of a fire, already having an evacuation plan in place is necessary:
- If you have to escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit.
- Before opening a door, feel the door. If it is hot, use a second way out.
- Use the stairs; never use an elevator during a fire.
- If trapped, call the fire department and tell them where you are located. Seal doors with rags and signal from the window. Open windows slightly at the top and bottom; shut them if smoke rushes in from any direction.
- If you have a disability, alert others of the type of assistance you need to leave the building.
For additional information of fire safety protections, please visit www.usfa.dhs.gov.
