Press Release: College Fire Safety

Each Year, more than 13,000 Fires Occur in Residence Halls and Greek Housing.

The Wilton Fire Marshal’s Office would like to remind new and returning college students to be fire safe. Each year more than 13,000 fires occur around the country in residence halls and Greek housing. An untold number occur in off-campus housing. The following are some very important tips from the Nation Fire Protection Association:

Photo: A fire at a University of Wisconsin fraternity house on May 13, 2008, left three firefighters with minor injuries and the house destroyed, though no residents were hurt. The Badger Herald

Be prepared for a fire

• Your building should have an evacuation plan. Learn it and participate in all fire drills.
• If you hear an alarm, leave immediately.  Close doors behind you as you go. Take room keys; if you can’t escape you may have to return to your room.
• If you have a disability, make sure you are included in the escape planning for your classroom area and housing.
• Learn the location of all building exits. You may have to find your way out in the dark.
• Make sure your building has smoke alarms.  Do not disable them or remove batteries.
• The best protection is a building with a fire sprinkler system.
• Don’t hang anything from fire sprinkler pipes or nozzles.
• Keep a flashlight handy.

Escape tips

• 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’s hot, use your second way out.
• Use the stairs; never use an elevator during a fire.
• If you’re trapped, call the fire department and tell them where you are. Seal your door with rags and signal from your window. Open windows slightly at the top and bottom, but close 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.

Smoking

• If you must smoke, only smoke outside of the building and only where it’s permitted.
• Use deep, wide, sturdy ashtrays. Ashtrays should be set on something that is sturdy and hard to ignite.
• It’s risky to smoke when you’ve been drinking or when you’re drowsy.
• Don’t smoke in bed.
• Soak cigarettes before you empty ashtrays.
• After a party, check furniture and cushions for smoldering butts.

Cooking

• Cook only where it’s permitted.
• If you use a kitchen, keep it clean and uncluttered.
• If you use electric appliances, don’t overload circuits.
• Never leave cooking unattended.
• If a fire starts in a microwave oven, keep the door closed and unplug the unit.
• Check with your school and local fire department for off-campus housing before using a grill.
• Gas and charcoal BBQ grills must only be used outdoors.
• Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area: declare a three-foot "kid-free zone" around the grill.
• Put out several long-handled grilling tools to give the chef plenty of clearance from heat and flames when flipping burgers.
• Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below grill so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill.

Candles

• Don’t burn candles.

Electrical

• Check your school’s rules before using electrical appliances in your room.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for plugging an appliance into a receptacle outlet.
• Don’t pinch cords against walls or furniture or run them under carpets. Never tack or nail cords.
• Don’t overload your wiring.
• Buy only appliances that have the label of an independent testing lab.
• Use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on the lamp or fixture. Place lamps on level surfaces, away from things that can burn.

For release the week of September 18th
Wilton Fire Department
Office of the Fire Marshal
Contact: (203) 834-6249