School fire safety knowledge

School Season Campus Fire Safety Knowledge: Your Life Depends on It!

Campus is your home away from home. Keeping it safe from fire is everyone’s responsibility. Please take a few minutes to read and share these critical tips.

1. In Your Dorm Room: The Most Common Risk Area

Dorm fires are often caused by preventable mistakes. Follow these rules strictly:

• NO Open Flames: Never burn candles, incense, or use lighters indoors. Never smoke in your room or in bed.
• Cook Only in Designated Areas: Never use hot plates, rice cookers, induction cookers, or any cooking appliance in your dorm room. Use only approved kitchen areas.
• Beware of Overloading Outlets: Do not “daisy-chain” power strips. Use only surge protectors with internal overload protection. Do not plug high-wattage appliances (like space heaters) into power strips.
• Space Heaters are Dangerous: If allowed, keep them away from curtains, bedding, and papers. Plug them directly into a wall outlet and turn them OFF when you leave or go to sleep.
• Check Your Cables: Frayed or damaged cords on laptops, phone chargers, or lamps can cause fires. Replace them immediately.
• Keep It Clean: Clutter, especially paper, is fuel for a fire. Keep your space tidy.
• Know Your Dorm’s Rules: They exist for your safety. Familiarize yourself with your specific residence hall’s policies.

2. Across Campus: Labs, Libraries, and Classrooms

• Lab Safety: Always wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Follow all instructions for handling chemicals and equipment. Know the location of emergency showers, eye wash stations, and fire blankets.
• No Blocking Exits: Never prop open fire doors. Keep hallways, stairwells, and exits completely clear of obstacles.
• Report Hazards: If you see a potential fire hazard (e.g., a blocked exit, damaged wiring, a smell of smoke), report it to campus security or facilities immediately.

3. Be Prepared: Before a Fire Ever Starts

A. Know Your Escape Plan

• Find the Exits: As soon as you enter a new building (classroom, library, dining hall), identify the TWO closest exits.
• Locate Fire Alarms & Extinguishers: Know where they are in your dorm and academic buildings.
• Practice Your Escape: If you live in a dorm, know the evacuation route and where your meeting point is outside.

B. What to Do if the Alarm Sounds

• GET OUT IMMEDIATELY. Never assume it’s a drill. Never ignore the alarm.
• Feel the Door: Before opening any door, feel it with the back of your hand. If it’s hot, use your second way out.
• Stay Low: Smoke and toxic gases rise. The cleanest air will be near the floor. Crawl if you must.
• Close Doors Behind You: This helps to contain the fire.
• Use Stairs, NEVER ELEVATORS.
• Go to Your Designated Meeting Spot and stay there. Do not go back inside for any reason.

4. Fire Extinguisher 101: Only if Safe to Do So

Remember the acronym P.A.S.S.:

• PULL the pin.
• AIM the nozzle at the base of the fire.
• SQUEEZE the handle.
• SWEEP from side to side at the base of the flames.

Only use an extinguisher on a small, contained fire (like a trash can) and only if you have a clear escape route behind you.

5. If You Are Trapped

• Seal yourself in a room: Close the door and use wet towels, sheets, or tape to seal the cracks and vents to keep smoke out.
• Call 911 (or campus emergency number): Tell them exactly where you are (building, floor, room number).
• Signal for help from a window: Wave a brightly colored cloth or use your phone’s flashlight to attract attention.

Summary: The Golden Rules

1. Prevent: No candles, no cooking in rooms, no overloading outlets.
2. Plan: Know two ways out of every building.
3. Practice: Participate in fire drills seriously.
4. Protect: Close doors to slow the spread of fire and smoke.
5. Get OUT and STAY OUT.

Welcome to campus! Let’s all work together to have a safe and successful school year.