If you’re living in a dormitory, there are some simple fire safety tips you should always follow to keep yourself and everyone else safe from a fire.
When you’re living in a college dormitory, there are fire safety rules that need to be followed. It can be tedious, but these rules are put in place to keep everyone safe. Remember—everything that has the potential to start a fire doesn’t affect only you, but also everyone else that resides in the building. To keep yourself and every other resident safe, practice these fire safety tips for dormitory living. And remember, if you have the option always select a dorm that is fully sprinklered.
Take Care When Cooking
The most common cause of dormitory fires is cooking accidents. According to the NFPA, these take place most frequently on weekends between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Cooking fires can happen for any number of reasons. If you have a stove, the best way to avoid this is to be diligent whenever you’re cooking. Don’t cook when you’re tired, avoid distractions, keep the stove in sight whenever it’s on. Always double-check that you’ve turned the oven or burners off and never use hot plates, portable burners or any unauthorized cooking appliance in a dorm.
Be Mindful of Candles
It’s important to remember that a candle is an open flame—an accident waiting to happen. Whenever you burn candles, make sure they’re set somewhere away from anything that might catch fire, and always keep the candle within your sight. Make sure the flame is completely out anytime you leave the room or go to sleep.
Smoke Outside
If you smoke, always smoke outside. It’s inconvenient to go outside every time you need to smoke, but this will keep you and everyone else in your dorm safe. Burning cigarettes are surprisingly good at starting fires, especially when they have been disposed of improperly. Smoking outside and depositing the cigarette in an approved container outside the building is a must. Never, ever smoke in bed.
Understand the Fire Alarm System
When you live in a dormitory, make sure you know what to do if the fire alarm system goes off. Know the evacuation route out of the building in the event of a fire. Make sure your room has an operating smoke detector. It’s also a good idea to purchase a portable smoke detector. Portable smoke detectors are battery-operated so don’t remove the batteries without replacing them, which you should do every time you change your clocks. In addition, it’s good practice to do a quick test once a month—just press the test button to make sure it is still working. If it doesn’t, replace the batteries or unit immediately.
Fire Protection Services from Fireline
Whether you need smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or an automatic sprinkler system installed at your commercial property, Fireline has you covered. We have been protecting people and property from fire damage since 1947—and our experience shows in our excellent work! We are known for our superb customer service, our expertise, and our reliability. For more information on how we can help your residential or commercial property, visit us online or give us a call at (800) 553-3405. We are in Baltimore, MD, with a second office in Leesburg, VA. For more fire safety tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.