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City of Radford News
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Campus Fire Safety: Safety Tips for Students & Parents |
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Tuesday, 28 August 2012 15:47 |
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Each year college and university students, on- and off-campus, experience hundreds of fire-related emergencies nationwide. There are several specific causes for fires on college campuses, including cooking, intentionally set fires, and open flame. Overall, most college-related fires are due to a general lack of knowledge about fire safety and prevention.
For most students, the last fire safety training they received was in grade school, but with new independence comes new responsibilities. It is important that both off-campus and on-campus students understand fire risks and know the preventative measures that could save their lives.
Campus-Related Fire Fatalities from January 2000 to Present
79 fatal fires have been documented that occurred on a college campus, in Greek housing or in off-campus housing within 3-miles of the campus – claiming a total of 114 victims.
- » 66 fires have occurred in off-campus housing claiming 95 victims
- » 7 fires have occurred in on-campus building or residence halls claiming 9 victims
- » 6 fires have occurred in Greek housing claiming 10 victims
Of the 79 fires documented:
- » 14 were intentionally set claiming 22 victims
- » 35 were accidental – includes cooking, candles, smoking or electrical claiming 47 victims
- » 30 of the fires the cause was never determined – or the cause was not available at press time. These fires claimed 45 victims.
Source: The Center for Campus Fire Safety
Safety Tips for Students
Candles
Cooking
- Cook only where it is permitted.
- Keep your cooking area clean and uncluttered.
- If you use electric appliances, don't overload circuits.
- Never leave cooking unattended.
- If a fire starts in a microwave, keep the door closed and unplug the unit.
- Learn About Cooking Fire Safety »
Smoking
- If you smoke, smoke outside.
- Make sure cigarettes and ashes are out. Never toss hot cigarette butts or ashes in the trash can.
- After a party, check for cigarette butts, especially under cushions. Chairs and sofas catch on fire fast and burn fast.
- Be alert - don't smoke in bed! If you are sleepy or have been drinking, put your cigarette out first.
- Learn About Smoking Safety »
Escape Planning
- 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; shut 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.
- Learn About Escape Planning »
Off-Campus Fire Safety
Good Questions to Ask Before Moving in or Signing a Lease
- Are working smoke alarms installed? (Preferably in each bedroom, interconnected to sound all if any one detects smoke)
- Are there at least two ways to exit your bedroom and your building?
- Do the upper floors of the building have at least two interior stairs, or a fire escape?
- Is a sprinkler system installed and maintained?
- Are the existing electrical outlets adequate for all of the appliances and equipment that you are bringing – without the need for extension cords?
- Are there EXIT signs in the building hallways to indicate accessible escape routes?
- Does the building have a fire alarm system installed and maintained?
- Has the buildings heating system been inspected recently (in the last year)?
- Is the building address clearly posted to allow emergency services to find you quickly in the event of an emergency?
- Does the sprinkler system or fire alarm system send a signal to the local fire department or campus security?
According to the U.S. Department of Education, there are approximately 18,000,000 students enrolled in 4,100 colleges and universities across the country. Approximately two-thirds of the students live in off-campus housing.
There are five common factors in a number of these fires:
- Lack of automatic fire sprinklers
- Missing or disabled smoke alarms
- Careless disposal of smoking materials
- Impaired judgment from alcohol consumption
- Upholstered furniture fires on decks and porches
Source: Campus-Firewatch
On-Campus Fire Safety
In cases where fire fatalities have occurred on college campuses, alcohol was a factor. There is a strong link between alcohol and fire deaths. Alcohol abuse often impairs judgment and hampers evacuation efforts.
Many other factors contribute to the problem of dormitory housing fires including:
- Improper use of 911 notification systems delays emergency response.
- Student apathy is prevalent. Many are unaware that fire is a risk or threat in the environment.
- Evacuation efforts are hindered since fire alarms are often ignored.
- Building evacuations are delayed due to lack of preparation and preplanning.
- Vandalized and improperly maintained smoke alarms and fire alarm systems inhibit early detection of fires.
- Misuse of cooking appliances, overloaded electrical circuits, and extension cords increase the risk of fires.
Safety Precautions for Colleges and Universities
- Provide students with a program for fire safety and prevention.
- Teach students how to properly notify the fire department using the 911 system.
- Install smoke alarms in every dormitory room and every level of housing facilities.
- Maintain and regularly test smoke alarms and fire alarm systems. Replace smoke alarm batteries every semester.
- Regularly inspect rooms and buildings for fire hazards. Ask your local fire department for assistance.
- Inspect exit doors and windows and make sure they are working properly.
- Create and update detailed floor plans of buildings, and make them available to emergency personnel, resident advisors and students.
- Conduct fire drills and practice escape routes and evacuation plans. Urge students to take each alarm seriously.
- Make sure electrical outlets are not overloaded and extension cords are used properly.
- Learn to properly use and maintain heating and cooking appliances.
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Everyone Needs an Emergency Plan |
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Tuesday, 14 August 2012 10:30 |
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Pledge to Prepare during National Preparedness Month
Do you have an emergency plan?
Last year Virginians suffered through Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, which caused deaths, injuries and extensive property damage. Many people and communities still are recovering. What should you do now to prepare for this year’s hurricane/flooding season?
- Make a family emergency plan. This may be the single most important action you can take, and it won’t cost you a cent. Discuss with your family what you will do in an emergency and how you will get in touch with each other. Write down your plan, and share it with family and friends. Get a free emergency plan worksheet at www.ReadyVirginia.gov.
- Choose an out-of-town emergency contact. Identify an out-of-town relative or friend for your family to call when there is an emergency. Here’s why: often it’s easier to make a long distance call than a local call when phone networks are jammed, and families may not be together when an emergency happens Here’s what to do: make sure each person in your family has the phone number of your out-of-town relative or friend. When an emergency happens, no matter where your family members are, they each should call the out-of-town contact and say they are OK. Then the out-of-town contact can in turn call the other family members to relay messages.
- Set aside emergency supplies. Have enough on hand to last at least three days for each family member. You need food that won’t spoil, such as canned goods and packaged foods and one gallon of water per person per day. A battery-powered or hand-crank radio is important for hearing information when the power is out. When you are gathering supplies, remember your family members with special needs and your pets, too.
September is National Preparedness Month and a great time to take these simple steps. If you want to take a pledge that during September you will prepare your family or organization for emergencies, visit www.Ready.gov and click on the “Pledge to Prepare” banner.
For more information on preparing for emergencies, go to www.ReadyVirginia.gov or www.ListoVirginia.gov. |
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Smart Choices in Smoke Alarm Placement |
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Thursday, 05 July 2012 13:53 |
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In an effort to reduce home fire fatalities, the IAFC has introduced an online toolkit, Smart Choices for Smoke Alarm Placement.
The toolkit provides fire chiefs, fire officials and public fire educators with materials to educate themselves and their communities about the different types of residential smoke alarms and how the placement of alarms may maximize their utility. The kit was developed in conjunction with Kidde, the largest manufacturer of residential fire-safety products with the support of the IAFC's Fire and Life Safety Section.
"As fire service leaders, we're the ones who educate the public because they trust our counsel. If we want to make sure the public is adequately informed about their options in home fire safety, we need to first ensure the fire service is well educated," said IAFC President and Chairman Al Gillespie. "Many departments today have limited fire prevention and education resources. This toolkit will offer easy-to-access, ready-to-use materials that members can download for their own education as well as for use in their communities."
The toolkit emphasizes the need to have working smoke alarms on each floor of a home, in hallways and inside all sleeping area—consistent with recommendations by NFPA. The toolkit contains:
- Key messages and statistics
- A smoke alarm placement diagram
- Public service announcement
- Supporting studies
- Facts sheets and more
The new program has already met with positive feedback from IAFC members and others. "It's outstanding when the Chief's association and industry works together for a common good," posted one IAFC member on the IAFC LinkedIn page. "Kudos to both organizations."
The NFPA reports that almost two-thirds of home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms. "On average, families have less than three minutes from the time the first smoke alarm sounds to escape a fire," Gillespie added. The sooner an alarm is heard, the more time there is to respond.
"Kidde wants to ensure that every family has working smoke alarms in the right locations in the home," said Chris Rovenstine, vice president of sales and marketing, Kidde. "By partnering with the IAFC, we can help educate fire officials, who will then educate their communities."
Last month's launch is just the beginning. The site is expected to evolve as new resources are added, new technology develops and additional research is conducted. To access more information visit, SmartAlarmChoices.org |
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Dehart & Barton Complete Hazmat Certification |
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Wednesday, 23 May 2012 14:30 |
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Congratulations to Keith Dehart and B.J. Barton for Successfully Completing the Virginia Department of Emergency Management Hazardous Materials Technician Certification. |
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Fire Figher retires after 24 years |
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Thursday, 29 March 2012 14:33 |
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Congratulations Ernest Hayden on your retirement from the fire department. Ernest was a member for 24 years and is a Life Member.
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