Fire Safety

The Facts…

• In 2005-2009, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 3,840 structure fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities, and barracks.

• These fires caused an annual average of 3 civilian deaths, 38 civilian fire injuries, and $20.9 million in direct property damage.

• Note: Dormitories include school, college and university dormitories; fraternity and sorority houses; monasteries; bunk houses; barracks; and nurses’ quarters.

Some of the more recent deadly fires involving college students

• Oct. 28, 2007: Six students from the University of South Carolina and one from Clemson University are killed in a fire at a house in Ocean Isle Beach, NC, where they had been spending the weekend. Six students in the house survived.

• Aug. 27, 2004: A fire that started in a basement bedroom of the Alpha Tau Omega house at the University of Mississippi kills three students.

• April 13, 2003: Five students from Ohio State University and Ohio University are killed in an off-campus apartment building in Columbus. The fire broke out after a birthday party for one of the victims.

• March 19, 2000: Three students from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania are killed in the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity house.

• Jan. 19, 2000: Three students die and 62 are injured in the freshman dormitory at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ.

• May 12, 1996: Five students die and three are injured at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill at Phi Gamma Delta fraternity the day before graduation. Investigators blame a cigarette tossed into a trash can.

• Oct. 12, 1994: Five students at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania die after a sofa catches fire at Beta Sigma Delta fraternity house.

• Sept. 8, 1990: Three University of California, Berkeley students die and two are injured at the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. A visitor admits starting the fire while playing with a lighter.

Close to home….

• Seton Hall Fire: Most devastating college fire ever – January 2000– 3 students killed, more than 58 injured– One college senior (RA) risked her life saving countless sleeping

students. Most students thought it was a false alarm.– Video: The Dana Christmas Story: http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzpxaUCOccY

• Georgetown Fire: October 2004 - former Bergen Catholic student from River Edge killed

http://georgetownvoice.com/2004/10/21/the-story-behind-daniel-rigbys-life-and-death-and-whats-happening-to-off-campus-life

/

Most Common Causes of Fires

• Alcohol: In more than 50% of adult fire fatalities, victims were under the influence – it impairs judgment and hampers evacuation efforts.

• Cooking • Arson• Careless smoking• Unattended candles• Overloaded extension cords and power outlets• YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: understand and

respect the importance of working smoke alarms

How to protect yourself!

• NEVER remove the batteries from a smoke alarm – as a prank or due to a low battery warning

• NEVER assume a false alarm – when an alarm sounds – GET OUT IMMEDIATELY

• Use the stairs – NOT elevators!• Fires spread quickly - the difference

between safety and tragedy is only seconds

Safety Tips

• Electrical Safety

• Cooking

• Drinking and Fires

• Candles and Incense

• Escape Plans

Electrical Safety

• Do not overload – power strips, extension cords or outlets– Older buildings = danger!

• Get a power strip with an over-current protector

• Electrical outlets should never be too hot to touch

• Never connect multiple extension cords – they are only for temporary use

Cooking

• Second leading cause of dorm fires (after arson) – the leading cause of fire injuries

• Stay focused• Look for automatic shut-off appliances• Keep any flammable materials (cleaners,

curtains, towels, pot holders) AWAY from hot surfaces

• Never pour hot water on a grease fire• Keep fire extinguisher handy

Drinking and Fires

• About ½ of adults who die in house fires have high blood alcohol content

• Drinking increases the chances of falling asleep while smoking in bed

• Greatly reduces the ability to detect a fire or respond to a fire alarm and escape safely

Candles and Incense

• Candles and burning incense cause 12,000 residential fires every year.

• Never leave candles or incense unattended

• Keep them away from curtains and unstable surfaces.

• Never empty ashtrays into garbage or other containers where flammables might be present.

Escape Plans

• Never ignore a fire alarm• Have an escape plan• Use the stairs – NOT elevators!• Know two exits from your room• Count the number of doors to the nearest

exit• Never hang anything from the sprinkler

system• Protect yourself and your roommates

before property or valuables

Video clips

• Fire Safety - YouTube.mht

THE END!!!

Be safe…