College students need a lesson in fire safety

Packing your kid off to college? Well, along with the computer, iPod, bedding and clothes, make sure your student also brings some fire-safety sense.

The number of fires in campus housing—dorms, frats, sororities, etc.—has risen dramatically in the past few years from 1,800 fires in 1998 to 3,300 fires in 2005. These fires caused an annual average of 7 deaths and 46 injuries.  According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking equipment caused about three of every four dorm fires. But the majority of the fatalities occurred in the bedroom. And, not surprisingly, fires were more common during the evening and on weekends when students are in the residences.

The Center for Campus Fire Safety has found four common factors behind the campus fire deaths:

• No automatic fire sprinklers
• Missing or disabled smoke alarms
• Careless disposal of smoking materials
• Impaired judgment from alcohol consumption 

We’ve written about this issue before, but with colleges again in session there’s no time like the present to issue some reminders. First check out our dorm safety tips.  And remember these guidelines, just issued by the CPSC:

• Don’t disable smoke alarms.
• Students should cook in designated areas only, and never leave cooking equipment unattended when in use.
• Because more deaths and injuries occur in sleeping areas--and are associated with smoking materials like tobacco products, candles, and incense--always extinguish flames before leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Keep combustibles away from heat sources, such as portable heaters, lights (including halogen lamps) and don’t overload electrical outlets, extension cords or power strips.
• Take special care with holiday and seasonal decorations.  Don’t use combustible materials.
• Never block access to safety devices, doors, etc.
• Know your building’s evacuation plan in case something does go wrong.

And one more tip from us: In light of the 23 students who were recently sickened by carbon monoxide poisoning at Virginia Tech, add a CO detector to your packing list.