SERVPRO: What are the usual suspects of a fire in college campuses and what fire safety tips can be followed?

1/27/2022 (Permalink)

Blog summary: The SERVPRO blog gives insight into the common reasons behind college fires and how students can prevent such events by following some fire safety tips.

Fire safety tips for college campuses

College campuses are like another home for students and it becomes their responsibility to make sure their home is safe from all dangers, especially fire. SERVPRO, a fire damage restoration company, shares some facts about campus fires and fire safety tips that the college staff and students must follow.

Some facts about campus fires

• 94 percent of fatal campus fires occur off-campus.
• 29 percent of the fatal campus fires were caused by smoking.
• 76 percent of fatal campus fires were influenced by alcohol.
• In 58 percent of the fatal campus fires, smoke alarms were either missing or tampered with.
• 85 fatal campus fires did not have any fire sprinklers installed on the campus.
• 70 percent of fatal campus fires occurred on the weekend.
• 73 percent of the fatal fires occurred between midnight and 6 am.
• 13 percent of the fatal fires occur in the campus housing in the month of April.

Fire safety tips for students at a college campus

1. Know all evacuation routes: Attend all fire drills and learn about all the evacuation procedures and possible evacuation routes. Review and become familiar with evacuation routes regularly. 

2. Locate the closest fire alarm: In case a student notices a fire, it is crucial to pull the fire alarm at the earliest. Therefore all students should know where the closest fire alarm is. Students should be able to hear the fire alarm from their dorms. If not, they must inform the dorm authorities.

3. Smoke detector education: A functional smoke detector is key in alerting everyone of a fire and starting the evacuation process. Every dorm room and the living area must have a smoke alarm. These alarms must be inspected regularly to ensure optimum functioning. Students must refrain from disabling the alarm or removing its batteries. If the smoke alarm is disabled due to some problem, students must contact their college’s safety or maintenance department promptly.

4. Keep fire exit doors clear: Since the space in most college dorms and apartments is limited, students should ensure they never block entrances/exits with bikes, boxes, or furniture. During an emergency, a blocked exit can delay the escape time and prove fatal. 

5. Learn to use a fire extinguisher: Ideally, students should focus on evacuating the building when a smoke/fire alarm is sounded. However, there may be situations where students may need to use the fire extinguisher. Understanding the instructions during the fire is unfruitful, so students must learn how to use a fire extinguisher in case of an emergency. 

6. Don’t play pranks: Fires are a matter of life and death. Students must refrain from playing a practical joke such as pulling a fire alarm as a joke. When a real fire happens, the students may not take the alarm seriously. 

Why SERVPRO?

• SERVPRO uses state-of-the-art equipment to bring the damaged property back to its original state. SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford is always updating its fleet and equipment so clients in Hurst, Euless, Bedford, or anywhere else can quickly access the services. 

• With over 1,700 US and Canadian Franchise locations, SERVPRO is strategically positioned to respond faster to an emergency of any magnitude.

• The SERVPRO staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. They receive initial in-house training and constant skill up-gradation at the corporate training facility and also acquire the regular IICRC-industry certification.

For fire damage restoration services, contact Team Shaw of SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford today at (817) 595-0004 or e-mail at office@SERVPROheb.com