August 2010
August is the time of year when students start going off to college. It is a time of big change for first time collegians beginning the next stage in their lives.
Fire safety is probably the last thing that you are thinking about as you head off to college. However, fire safety is just as important – maybe more so – in dorms or apartments buildings with hundreds of young students sleeping. Remember the tragic fire several years ago at Seton Hall in New Jersey where three students died when a fire swept their dorm building?
- Insure that each sleeping room is equipped with operable smoke detectors.
- Candles are a leading cause of fires – never burn candles or other open flame devices in dorm rooms and common areas.
- Never use extension cords in place of proper, permanent wiring.
- If given the choice, opt for a dorm/living quarters equipped with fire sprinkler systems.
- Know ALL ways out of your room/dorm and where each exit discharges. Actually take a few minutes to walk the routes to familiarize yourself.
- In high-rise buildings, always have a means of reentering your room/apartment if the hall becomes untenable (have room keys ready to go).
- Always follow all directions and guidelines of the school and participate in fire drills as directed.
- Learn the local emergency number – not every telephone system has 911.
- Learn the location of fire alarm pull stations and the sound of the alarm system.
- Never cook in your room – cooking is one of the main causes of dorm fires.