Campus & Dorm Fires

The number of reported fires in the dormitory occupancy group increased 34% from 3,200 in 1980 to 4,290 in 2006. In comparison, structure fires of all types declined 51% from 1980 to 2006.

Facts & figures

• In 2003-2006, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 3,570 structure fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities, and barracks. These fires caused an annual average of 7 civilian deaths, 54 civilian fire injuries, and $29.4 million in direct property damage. Note: Dormitories include school, college and university dormitories; fraternity and sorority houses; monasteries; bunk houses; barracks; and nurses’ quarters.
• Between 2003-2006, cooking equipment was involved in 75% of the reported dormitory fires; this includes confined or contained fires.
• Structure fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities, and barracks are more common during the evening hours between 5-11 p.m., as well as on weekends.
• Only 5% of fires in these properties began in the bedroom, but these fires accounted for 62% of the civilian deaths and one-quarter (26%) of the civilian injuries.

Campus and dorm fire safety tips

College students living away from home should take a few minutes to make sure they are living in a fire-safe environment. Educating students on what they can do to stay safe during the school year is important and often overlooked.

- Safety Tips

• Look for fully sprinklered housing when choosing a dorm or off-campus housing.
• Make sure your dormitory or apartment has smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside every sleeping area and on each level. For the best protection, all smoke alarms should be interconnected so that when one sounds they all sound.
• Test all smoke alarms at least monthly.
• Never remove batteries or disable the alarm.
• Learn your building’s evacuation plan and practice all drills as if they were the real thing.
• If you live off campus, have a fire escape plan with two ways out of every room.
• When the smoke alarm or fire alarm sounds, get out of the building quickly and stay out.
• During a power outage, use a flashlight.
• Cook only where it is permitted.
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking.
• Cook only when you are alert, not sleepy or drowsy from medicine or alcohol.
• Check with your local fire department for any restrictions before using a barbeque grill, fire pit, or chimenea.
• Check your school’s rules before using electrical appliances in your room.
• Use a surge protector for your computer and plug the protector directly into an outlet.

Downloads

Campus Safety Tips
Get Out and Stay Alive Pamphlet
NFA Campus Fire Safety 101

Additional Information can be obtained from the following links or by contacting the Lexington Fire Department.

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/college/
http://www.campus-firewatch.com/
http://www.campusfiresafety.org/