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, according to the International
Code Council.
"Building safety and fire prevention officials can
inspect the dorm or apartment building to make sure it has
the right number of emergency exits and is equipped with
fire alarms and smoke detectors, but they are not in the
room at 3:00 on a Saturday morning," said International
Code Council CEO James Lee Witt. "Students need to
take an active role in fire safety."
According to the non-profit Center for Campus Fire Safety,
since January 2000, student housing fires in the United
States have claimed 78 lives. Fourteen of those deaths occurred
in the 2004-2005 academic year.
"We have seen too many tragic fires and close calls
that could have been prevented," said Ed Comeau, director
of the Center for Campus Fire Safety. "Simple fire
safety measures and a little common sense can mean the difference
between life and death."
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; it can
allow smoke and fire to spread. Keep hallways clear.
Identify all emergency exits on the hall.
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, learn how to use it
and keep it in the kitchen.
Never overload electrical outlets. Do
not staple, tape or nail extension cords or run them under
carpeting; it can damage wiring and lead to a fire. Use
UL-listed electrical power strips and unplug appliances
when not in use.
Throughout the school year:
Never ignore a fire alarm; it may be the
real thing and fires spread quickly. Evacuate immediately
even when smoke is not present. Have an escape plan and
know evacuation routes.
Always identify two ways out of every
building, whether it is a school building, night club,
movie theater or restaurant. The entrance may be blocked
during an emergency.
If candles are allowed, keep in appropriate
containers and handle with care. Never place lit candles
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. Only cook in designated areas.
When smoking, use an ashtray. After parties,
check furniture cushions for smoldering cigarette butts.
September is National Campus Fire Safety Month. To learn
additional ways to improve fire safety on your campus, visit
www.iccsafe.org/campusfire.
The International Code Council, a membership association
dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops
the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings,
including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties
and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes
developed by the International Code Council.
