Campus Fire Safety: Safety Product Review. October is Fire Safety Month

* Almost 80 percent of college fire fatalities happen off campus, where students often crowd into older buildings without sprinklers or updated electrical systems, Alcohol is a common factor. Source: Center for Campus Fire Safety. In 2003-2006, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 3,570 structure fires in dormitories, fraternities and sororities. Fires in dormitories, fraternities and sororities are more common during the evening hours, between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m., and on weekends.



* Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America, claiming 400 lives and sending another 20,000 to the emergency room each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is produced by fossil fuel-burning appliances, which under certain circumstances, including malfunction or improper ventilation, can cause CO to build up in a space.

College Students Need a Lesson in Fire Safety

Every dormitory or off campus housing unit needs not only a computer, refrigerator and microwave, but fire and carbon monoxide safety products and prevention education.

The number of fires in campus housing—dorms, frats, sororities, etc.—has risen dramatically in the past few years from 1,800 fires in 1998 to 3,300 fires in 2005. These fires caused an annual average of 7 deaths and 46 injuries. According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking equipment caused about three of every four dorm fires. But the majority of the fatalities occurred in the bedroom. And, not surprisingly, fires were more common during the evening and on weekends when students are in the residences.

Tracey Hawkins, Safety and Security Expert and owner of Safety and Security Source, says there are some common factors in fire deaths. Check to make sure there is a working and tested sprinkler system and a regular method for testing alarms, two areas that the Center for Campus Fire Safety advises. So, she advises students to control the fie hazards that they can:

Beware of careless disposal of smoking materials

Avoid impaired judgment from alcohol consumption

Control space heaters, curling and flat irons and other heated devices

Extinguish candles and incense when you leave your room or go to sleep

Avoid overloading electrical outlets, extension cords or power strips

Know your building’s evacuation plan in case something does go wrong.

Do not disable smoke alarms, if there is an annoying beep, contact the proper authorities to change the batteries immediately

Cook in designated areas only, and never leave cooking equipment unattended when in use

Take special care with holiday and seasonal decorations, don’t use combustible materials and keep them away from heat sources

Practice Carbon Monoxide Safety and use a portable CO detector


In addition to the fire extinguishers required in every residence, students can take their fire safety into their own hands, Hawkins recommends students have a portable, aerosol fire extinguisher in their rooms. "If you can spray hairspray, you can put out a fire. First Alert has a product called Tundra that costs less than $20.00 and should be in every room. These easy-to-use cans allow students to put out a small fire quickly and easily. A lot of students are intimidated by the industrial fire extinguishers that are everywhere. Most don't know how to use them. They need to learn." Hawkins also recommends a device called "Smokestopper". This rubber strip that goes under doors to prevent smoke from getting inside the room. This is ideal for residence halls, apartments and off campus housing. For students who live in off campus houses, a combination smoke and CO detector that talks is ideal. This device will say what the emergency is (fire or CO) and which room is involved. At night this alarm will alert you and calmly get you out safely. It is a First Alert product and available at K-Mart.

Hawkins states that an area often overlooked is CO safety. 23 students were sickened by carbon monoxide poisoning at Virginia Tech in 2007. "People focus on fire safety, which is wonderful, but at this time of the year, carbon monoxide safety is just as important." Often known as "The Silent Killer", carbon monoxide does not have a smell. The effects range from dizziness to nausea, fainting and even death.

Nationwide, about 500 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while more than 15,000 suffer from the symptoms.

“There will be CO tragedies every year and many of them can be prevented if a working carbon monoxide alarm issued. Unfortunately, students don't think to worry about CO safety. Therefore, most dormitories and off-campus residences do not yet have CO detectors.” Hawkins says the solution is a portable CO Detector manufactured by First Alert. This device is plugged into an electrical outlet no matter where you are, dorm, apartment or hotel. You are protected and will be warned. It's that simple." Hawkins advises.





NOTE: The Campus Fire Safety Education Act of 2010 was recently introduced in both houses of Congress respectively by Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (NJ) and U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-8).

The bills, S. 3142/ H. R. 4908, will help provide fire safety education and training to students attending institutions of higher education. Establishing a new $25 million competitive grant program to initiate, expand or improve fire safety education programs at institutions of higher education. Priority would be given to programs that include educational material specifically prepared for students with disabilities.