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Did you know that from 2005 to 2015, there were 85 fatal fires in college dormitories and off-campus housing that led to 118 fatalities?

That’s a scary figure considering that most institutions put college fire safety first!

There are several causes of fire on college campuses, including cooking, partying, open flames, and intentionally set fires. But according to fire experts, most college-related fires are due to a lack of knowledge about fire prevention and safety.

What this means is that fire safety comes from being prepared for emergencies, but how well do you know about the ins and outs of college fire safety? We’ve put together this handy list of fire safety tips to help college students prevent accidental fires and know the steps to take in the event of a fire on campus. Let’s dive in!

1. Be Cautious While Cooking

Cooking is a leading cause of college dorm fires. In fact, studies show that cooking equipment causes 72% of dorm fires.

Besides cooking equipment, reckless cooking habits also lead to dormitory fires. For instance, leaving pans or boiling pots unattended can lead to dorm fires.

To be on the safe side, stay in the kitchen. The NFPA recommends staying alert when roasting, baking, or simmering your food. If you need to buy something in the nearby shop, turn off the cooking equipment, even if it’s for a short period.

2. Keep a Fire Extinguisher Handy

Most, if not all, universities have campus fire safety outreach materials, including fire extinguishers, but for your own safety, always keep one in your dormitory/apartment.

Go to the nearest hardware and buy a portable class B or C fire extinguisher. More importantly, make sure you know how to use it. The last thing you want is to be reading fire extinguisher instructions when the fire is razing your belongings.

3. Learn How to Use the Fire Extinguisher

As mentioned, learning how to use a fire extinguisher is critical. It can help save the day in the event of a fire in your college dormitory or off-campus apartment.

So, how do you use a fire extinguisher? Officials from the fire department recommend using the PASS technique for fire extinguisher safety.

PASS is an acronym for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep. Here’s how to apply the PASS procedure when putting out fire in a college dorm.

•  Pull – Pull out the safety pin to break the tamper seal
•  Aim – The base is the source of the burning, so you’ll want to ensure the fire extinguisher is perfectly aimed at the base
• Squeeze – Squeeze the fire extinguisher’s handle slowly and evenly to release the extinguishing agent.
• Sweep – Keeping the extinguisher pointed at the base of the fire, sweep the hose from  side to side until the fire is completely extinguished.

Learning how to use the fire extinguisher can seem difficult for anyone new to this. But if you can remember the acronym PASS, you’re already halfway there.

4. No Open Flames – That Means No Candles

Candles are potential fire hazards in homes and college dormitories. In fact, using a candle in the dormitory is one of the most dangerous things you can do.

According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), an estimated 23,600 fires are caused by candles and result in over 1,500 civilian injuries, 165 deaths, and $390 million in property loss. In colleges, candles are the main cause of fires started by university students.

To prevent accidental candle fires, it’s recommended that students use flashlights or other alternative sources of lighting. If power outages are a consistent problem, inform the dormitory supervisor or any relevant faculty member about it. They may contact the utility provider and have the faulty electrical components repaired or replaced.

5. Avoid Overloading Outlets

According to the USFA, overloading electrical outlets can be a fire hazard.

It’s common for college students to plug in a laptop, smartphone charger, TV, gaming console, and even iron box into one extension. However, doing so increases the risk of fire.

Overloaded circuits and outlets carry too much electricity, which generates heat, causing the wires to heat up. This heat causes wear on the internal wiring system and can ignite a fire.

Be smart. No matter how many electrical devices you have, never overload an outlet with multiple extension cords, run cords under rugs, or use cheap, frayed cords. If you must do so, fire officials recommend using power surge protectors.

6. Decorate Your Room with Safety in Mind

Decorating your room is exciting, but are you doing it with safety in mind? There are things you can add to your room that will subject you to safety risks.

For example, halogen lamps are considered a potential fire hazard and are prohibited in many colleges and universities. So, avoid them in favor of something that won’t put you at fire risk.

Also, care should be taken when decorating the ceiling. Make sure that your decorative items don’t cover your room’s fire sprinklers, as they may hinder the sprinklers from working. Lastly, make sure no items, especially furniture, block your access to a door or window.

Wrapping Up

Whether it’s your first or final year in college, living on campus turns the dormitory into your second home. But college dorms are prone to accidental fires, and care should be taken to prevent these fires and stay safe while on campus.

We hope you find these fire safety tips for college students useful. Feel free to comment and share!

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