March 29, 2024

Be Safe Away From Home: College Fire Safety

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For all of the parents who will send their grown child off to college in the fall, there are a few more tidbits of learning they should know before they go: show them how to do laundry; show them how to cook a few things; show them how to write checks, use ATMs and balance a checkbook and teach them about fire safety away from home.

Campus Related Fire Death Facts:

Every campus related fire death in the past five years has been in off-campus housing. Five college students aged 19-22 have died in Massachusetts in off-campus housing fires in the last 10 years.

• Disabled or missing smoke detectors is a factor in over half of these fires (58%).
• Alcohol is a factor in three quarters of these fires (75%).
• Smoking is the leading cause of fatal college-related fires (29%).
Landlords and colleges are responsible for providing safe housing, including working smoke alarms and two ways out of every room.

Students are responsible for maintaining safety in their housing. Do not disable smoke detectors, do not hang items from sprinkler systems (and/or piping), and do not block doors or windows, even partially.

Students and parents concerned about college housing safety can contact the local building or fire department and request an inspection.

Carbon Monoxide alarms are JUST as important as smoke detectors for your student’s safety! They are also required by law.

Remember:

• Every house and apartment must have working smoke alarms by Massachusetts code.
• One on every level plus one in every bedroom.
• There should be at least one carbon monoxide alarm on every level.
• Every floor should have two ways out, and the second way out may be a window.
• Don’t overload outlets and extension cords, they can overheat and start a fire
• Don’t run cords under rugs. They can fray and start a fire.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended. Never.
• When the alarm sounds, get out!

Sources: Office of the State Fire Marshall
Campus Fire Watch

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