campus_fire_safety_brochure_-_wfd

Going to college is an exciting time for students 
and their parents. Living in a new “home away from 
home” not only gives young adults more freedom to 
make their own choices, but it also provides them 
an increased level of personal responsibility while 
at school. When it comes to on- and off-campus 
housing, it’s important for students and parents to 
keep fire safety top of mind. 
CAUSES OF CAMPUS FIRES
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, an 
estimated 3,800 university housing fires occur each 
year in the U.S. with 85 percent being cooking fires. 
The leading causes of campus related fires include:
	
●	 Cooking (hot plates, microwaves, 
	
	
portable grills
	
●	 Arson
	
●	 Careless smoking
	
●	 Unattended candles
	
●	 Overloaded extension cords, 
	
	
power strips and outlets. 
ALCOHOL, DRUGS & FIRE DON’T MIX
Alcohol or drugs increase your chances of falling 
asleep while smoking and reduces your ability to 
respond to a fire alarm and escape from a fire.
PREVENTING CAMPUS FIRES  
& FIRE FATALITIES
Cooking is the cause of 85 percent of university 
housing fires.
	
●	 Never leave cooking unattended
	
●	 Cook only where it is permitted
	
●	 If a fire starts in a microwave, keep 
	
	
the door closed and unplug the unit.
Smoking
	
●	 Smoke outside of the building and full extinguish 
	
	
the material before you discard it.
	
●	 Use deep, wide and sturdy ashtrays. Sit ashtrays 
	
	
on something sturdy and hard to ignite.
	
●	 It is risky to smoke when you have been drinking 
	
	
or are drowsy.
Candles are one of the leading causes of fires in both 
on and off-campus dwellings despite the fact that most 
colleges and university forbid candles in residence 
halls. Twenty percent of fires in dorms rooms are 
started by candles.
	
●	 Make sure candles are in sturdy holders 
	
	
and put out after each use.
	
●	 Never leave a burning candle unattended.
	
●	 Use flameless candles, which are both 
	
	
safe and attractive.
Campus
Fire Safety
Campus Fire Safety
Provided for Fire and Prevention Education by: 
Waterford Fire Department
Office of Fire Services
204 Boston Post Road
Waterford, CT 06385
Follow us on Facebook
Information for College       
Campus and Student 
Fire Safety.
www.waterfordct.org/fire-services

This brochure is designed to help save your 
life in case you find yourself in a fire situation. 
This program focuses on three main  topics: 
Getting Out, Prevention and Protection 
CLOSE THE DOOR BEHIND YOU
	 ●	 You may  help keep the fire from spreading.
	 ●	 You may protect your possessions from fire 
	 	
and smoke damage.
IF YOU CAN’T GET OUT, 
GET SOMEONE’S ATTENTION
	 ●	 Yell and scream!
	 ●	 Hang a sheet from the window
	 ●	 Stay low, there is less smoke and poisonous   
	 	
gasses close to the floor.
PREVENTION
Fires can be prevented from starting if you 
take some simple precautions:
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY 
FOR PREVENTION
	 ●	 Assign a non-impaired “event monitor”
	 ●	 Clean up immediately after parties and take 
	 	
all trash outside.
	 ●	 Do not overload electrical outlets.
	 ●	 Keep space heaters and halogen lamps away 
	 	
from flammables.
	 ●	 Extinguish all smoking materials thoroughly.
	 ●	 Don’t smoke while tired or impaired.
	 ●	 Never charge your phone on your bed or any    	
	 	
flammable surface.
PROTECTION
You can also protect yourself from becoming 
trapped in a fire situation by following some        
important suggestions:
GETTING OUT
If you get caught in a fire situation, 
survival is your top priority. You should:
FEEL THE DOOR HANDLE
	 ●	 If the door handle is hot, don’t open it.
	 ●	 Go to a window and call for help.
	 ●	 If the handle is not hot, open cautiously.
	 ●	 Check for smoke or fire before going out.
GET OUT OF THE BUILDING             
BEFORE PHONING FOR HELP
	 ●	 Don’t take time to phone before leaving.
	 	
Get out and find a phone.
PULL THE FIRE ALARM 
ON YOUR WAY OUT
DON’T LOOK FOR OTHER PEOPLE 
OR GATHER UP YOUR STUFF
	 ●	 Knock on doors as you leave
	 ●	 Yell “FIRE!” as you leave.
	 ●	 Don’t hesitate or stray from your path 
	 	
as you leave.
CRAWL LOW TO THE FLOOR
	 ●	 Thick smoke can make it impossible 
	 	
to see.
	 ●	 Toxic chemicals from smoke can be 
	 	
deadly in minutes.
CHECK SMOKE ALARMS
●	 Be sure they are in proper working condition.
●	 Install new batteries at the beginning of 	
	
each semester.
PLAN ESCAPE ROUTES
●	 Know where all exits are located in the building.
●	 Practice your escape plan.
TAKE FIRE ALARMS SERIOUSLY
●	 Do not ignore fire alarms.
●	 Do not wait to see fire or smoke.
●	 Do not worry about grabbing your stuff.
MAKE A PLAN
You can make a plan for your own fire 
safety and protection as soon as you get 
home. Use the following check list:
●	 Check to make sure your smoke alarms 
	
are working-change the batteries.
●	 Find all possible exits from your room or 	
	
residence.
●	 Make a fire escape route plan that 
	
includes two (2)escape routes.
●	 Perform a “home inspection” for fire and 
	
safety hazards.
●	 Tell your roommates about your plan.
●	 Call your local fire department for more 
	
information about student housing fire safety.
Tampering with smoke alarms. Pulling 
false alarms or misusing fire protection 
equipment may be a criminal offense. 
These are dangerous pranks and should 
be reported immediately.