BRIDGEWATER — The Bridgewater Fire Department would like to offer students safety tips to avoid fire dangers in their dorms and apartments as they return to campus.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, in the past five years, there have been more than 2,700 fires in Massachusetts dormitories, fraternities and sororities, causing seven civilian injuries, five fire service injuries and an estimated $2.9 million in damages.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), approximately three out of four fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities and other related properties began in the kitchen or cooking area. Unattended equipment was the most common factor contributing to the ignition of these fires. The peak time of day for fires in dormitory-type properties was between 4 p.m. and midnight when over half of the fires occurred.
The Bridgewater Fire Department wishes to remind students of the importance of functioning smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as sprinkler systems. Students are also reminded that alcohol or drugs and fires don’t mix. These substances increase your chance of falling asleep while cooking or while a candle is lit and limit your ability to react to an alarm.
The department also shares the following safety tips:
- Look for fully sprinklered housing when choosing a dorm or off-campus housing.
- Make sure your dorm room or suite has a smoke alarm and that you can hear the building alarm system when you are in your dorm room.
- If you live in an apartment or house, make sure smoke alarms are installed in each sleeping room, outside every sleeping area, and on each level of the apartment unit or house. For the best protection, all smoke alarms in the apartment unit or house 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 take part in 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.
- Stay in the kitchen when cooking. Keep your cooking area clean and free of anything that can burn. Cook only when you are alert, not sleepy or drowsy from medicine or alcohol.
- Use safe flameless candles. If you use a real candle, place it in a sturdy holder. Never leave a burning candle unattended and keep candles away from anything that can burn.
- Check your school’s rules before using electrical appliances in your room.
- Never use an extension cord with large appliances. Don’t overload outlets.
- When the smoke alarm or fire alarm sounds, get out of the building quickly and stay out. Never go back inside a building until it is cleared and determined safe.
For additional information on campus fire safety, visit the NFPA or U.S. Fire Administration. As always, the Bridgewater Fire Department wishes college students a safe return to campus!
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