Spring Break
New Tips, Statistics For Dorm Room Fire Safety
Kimberley Hansen
Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: News
Most young children learn of Smokey the Bear at a young age and are able to recite his well-known phrase, "Only you can prevent wildfires."
It is often because of Smokey that children are able to learn about fire safety and prevention of not only forest fires, but also house fires. As they grow older, however, the message may be forgotten or ignored.
In August, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) published a set of tips and statistics about on-campus fires in order to remind college students about fire safety. The number of fires on college campuses has dramatically increased in recent years and in many cases, these fires could have been prevented.
In 1980, there were 3,200 on-campus fires nationwide, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Throughout the next 19 years, colleges and universities began to take preventative measures, such as installing sprinkler systems, in order to decrease the number of campus fires.
In 1998, the number of on-campus fires was down to 1,800. In recent years, however, the number of fires has again been increasing; in 2005, the NFPA reported 3,300 on and off-campus fires.
Between 2002 and 2005, 39 students were killed and almost 400 were injured in on-campus fires. In their recent reports, the ASSE reminds students to know where exits are located, to not ignore alarms and drills and to not put aluminum foil in the microwaves.
The easiest way to prevent fires at UConn is to follow the policies that the university developed in order to prevent on-campus fires.
"It is important to be conscious of the rules regarding fire prevention to ensure the safety of yourself and the other residents in the building," said Angela Daye, a 3rd-semester accounting major.
One of the most important steps that students can take is to take time to ensure that none of their possessions are prohibited in the residence halls. A complete list of prohibited items is available on the Residential Life Web site.
It is often because of Smokey that children are able to learn about fire safety and prevention of not only forest fires, but also house fires. As they grow older, however, the message may be forgotten or ignored.
In August, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) published a set of tips and statistics about on-campus fires in order to remind college students about fire safety. The number of fires on college campuses has dramatically increased in recent years and in many cases, these fires could have been prevented.
In 1980, there were 3,200 on-campus fires nationwide, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Throughout the next 19 years, colleges and universities began to take preventative measures, such as installing sprinkler systems, in order to decrease the number of campus fires.
In 1998, the number of on-campus fires was down to 1,800. In recent years, however, the number of fires has again been increasing; in 2005, the NFPA reported 3,300 on and off-campus fires.
Between 2002 and 2005, 39 students were killed and almost 400 were injured in on-campus fires. In their recent reports, the ASSE reminds students to know where exits are located, to not ignore alarms and drills and to not put aluminum foil in the microwaves.
The easiest way to prevent fires at UConn is to follow the policies that the university developed in order to prevent on-campus fires.
"It is important to be conscious of the rules regarding fire prevention to ensure the safety of yourself and the other residents in the building," said Angela Daye, a 3rd-semester accounting major.
One of the most important steps that students can take is to take time to ensure that none of their possessions are prohibited in the residence halls. A complete list of prohibited items is available on the Residential Life Web site.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Eric Ciccone
posted 9/28/07 @ 7:39 AM EST
The University may want to take notice of a collaboration of Boston Area Colleges to investigate a new economical way to help mitigate fire danger in dorm rooms. (Continued…)
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