About 1,700 fires happen annually in on- and off-campus college student housing, and 150 occur in sorority and fraternity houses, the American Society of Safety Engineers reports. A National Fire Protection Association study of the period from 2000 to 2005 showed that 2001 was the worst year, with 82 injuries and six deaths. College kids have many things on their minds, like studying and socializing, but they need to make time to think about fire safety.
Causes
Fires in college dormitories start for a variety of reasons. The U.S. Fire Administration cites careless cooking as the top cause, followed by careless smoking habits and arson. Extension cords and overloaded outlets are also common culprits. College kids can increase their safety by never using potentially dangerous cooking appliances like hot plates and toaster ovens in their rooms and only smoking outdoors. They should avoid extension cord use and limit the number of items plugged into a single outlet.
Time Frame
The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that most college fires happen on evenings and weekends, when student housing is occupied. Although 72 percent of all fires is caused by cooking equipment, fatal blazes occur most often in sleeping areas. College kids should take special care to dispose of smoking materials and put out incense or candles before going to bed to reduce this risk.
Considerations
Many college kids endanger themselves by ignoring fire alarms, the U.S. Fire Administration warns. They become complacent because of false alarms, which increases the change of being trapped in a real blaze. Some never hear a warning because of vandalized or non-working smoke detectors and fire alarms. Students should regularly replace dorm room smoke alarm batteries and report broken alarms in housing areas and other college buildings.
Prevention
The U.S. Fire Administration cites fire drills as an effective fire safety strategy for college kids. Students should learn where fire alarms and extinguishers are located and know how to get an outside line to call 911 from dormitories and other college buildings. They should know a main and alternate escape route and practice using both of them in light and dark conditions.
Warning
The University of North Florida reports that 83 percent of college kids drink alcohol. Two out of five of all students, including those who are still underage, indulge in binge drinking. This raises their risk of dying in a blaze. The U.S. Fire Administration warns that more than 50 percent of adult fire victims were under the influence of alcohol when they died. The danger is raised because a drunk person's judgment is impaired, which impedes timely response and escape.
