Keep It Safe this School Year

As we find ourselves once again starting the school year, we have some safety tips for those going away to college or coming to Forest Grove to study at Pacific University. College living is often the first opportunity for young people to live outside of their home. With all the excitement and anticipation of school, new friends, and freedom, safety often gets pushed to the side. Fire safety could not be a more important issue at this juncture in life.

Every year there are a report 1,800 fires on college campuses, and additionally many more fire occur that aren’t reported. These fires account for over $9 million in property loss as well as result in critical injuries and death. Studies have found that alcohol and drug use is a factor in the starting of these fires and inability to escape the dangerous conditions.

It is important to not only look out for yourself, but those that live with you. Their actions can directly impact you and everyone else living in the building. It is also important to be fire safe if you live off-campus. It is estimated that 75% of college fire deaths occur in off campus housing.

Here are some safety tips to keep you safe during your college experience:

• Smoke Alarms Save Lives! – Smoke alarms and smoke detection systems are located throughout campus residences. Never cover or disable a smoke alarm. Keep these devices in working order. They are your best defense against fire and give early warning when a fire occurs, allowing time to escape. And remember to test them if you live off campus.
  Respond To Alarms, Always – When the alarm sounds, always take action. The fire alarm you ignore may well be the real thing. It isn’t worth the chance. Discourage people from misusing fire alarms so when they do go off, you know it’s likely the real thing.
  


• Get Out! Stay Out! Learn your exits as soon as you move in. Always know two ways out of your room (without using an elevator). When the fire alarm sounds, get out and stay out of the building until an official tells you it’s okay to return. Try not to use the same exit and practice going to and from your room with different routes throughout the year.
  


• Automatic Sprinklers…Not a Towel Rack – Your college residence has Automatic Fire Sprinklers, take care to keep them clear. Hanging items from them keeps the water spray from controlling a fire. When working properly, a fire in a room with a sprinkler will be controlled by that sprinkler almost every time. That saves lives.
  


• Cooking in??? – There are rules about candles, cooking, and other things related to flames and heat that are for everyone’s protection. Check your universities handbook for a complete list of “prohibited items.” Do not allow any of these items in your living space or anyone else’s. Remember, you are no safer than the most unsafe person in the building. Do you trust them with these items???
  


• Fire Extinguishers – Fire extinguishers can be a good item, if you know how to use them and have had practice. Just because an extinguisher hangs on the wall does not mean you need to use it. Life safety is the number one priority so secure that first. Only use a fire extinguisher if you feel competent. The best choice may be to get out and contact the fire department quickly.
  
  For more campus safety information please contact your local fire department or campus public safety.