New Canaan Fire Marshal Offers Fire Safety Tips For College Students

Information via the New Canaan Fire Marshal

NEW CANAAN, CT — As many New Canaan students prepare to head off to college over this month, the Fire Marshal's Office is offering safety tips related for students who will be living both on and off campus.

According to the New Canaan Fire Marshal Facebook page, an annual average of 4,000 fires occur in college dormitories, fraternities, sororities and related housing, and over 80 percent of college student fire fatalities occurred in off-campus housing.

Most of these fires occur between the hours of 5 p.m. and 11 p.m., and the most common causes of dormitory fires are cooking, smoking and unattended candles, according fire officials.

The best way to prevent a loss of life or property from a fire is preventing ignition from occurring, fire officials said. Early detection is the next best prevention.

The New Canaan Fire Marshal's Office also provided the following list of fire prevention tips for college students:

Smoke Detection

• Ensure there are working smoke detectors on each level and each bedroom of a structure. Dorm rooms should have a smoke detector as well as in any living areas of suites.
• Do not disable smoke detectors or remove batteries!

Cooking Safety

• Cook only where it is approved with approved equipment
• Cooking in your room with hot plates is not acceptable!
• Do not leave cooking unattended.
• Leave the door closed on the oven or microwaves if there is a fire inside.
• Do not use extension cords or overload outlets

Candles and Smoking

• Smoke outside of the building in designated areas and discard smoking materials in approved containers.
• Ensure candle holders are sturdy and will not fall over
• Never leave candles unattended!
• Use battery-operated candles whenever possible.

Your Escape

• Plan your escape. Identify two ways out of the dorm.
• Keep bedroom doors closed.
• Exit the building when the fire alarm sounds.
• Participate in Fire Drills!
• If the door is hot do not open it!
• Stay low! Crawl under the smoke.

Fire officials also advise any students planning to live in off-campus housing choose a place with a fire sprinkler system and redundant (hardwired and battery) smoke detection. Good maintenance and housekeeping is also recommended.

More information is available here.