College living can undoubtedly be exciting. For most students, it’s their first opportunity being truly independent, but that comes with myriad safety hazards for students in dormitories, apartments and other shared living arrangements.
Even if a student was safety conscious back home, it’s a new ballgame when you’re living on your own. Developing and practicing new safety habits is extremely important—and could save your life.
Make It a Priority
Fire is the third-leading cause of accidental deaths in the U.S. From 2017 to 2021, fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 3,379 structure fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities and other similar buildings. A residential fire occurs every 88 seconds in this country, on average, and once burning, the size of a fire can double every 30 seconds.
If a fire breaks out in your building, evacuate as soon as possible. Don’t try to act bravely or put the fire out. That’s a fight too easily lost and isn’t worth it.
If you have an escape plan, follow it at the first sign or odor of a fire. Never exit through a door if it feels hot to the touch because there are likely flames on the other side. It’s also a good idea to know where fire extinguishers are located in the building.
Start With Prevention
In communal living spaces, everyone must do their part to make their home a safer place. Here are a few easy steps you can take to help prevent fire through electrical hazards:
- Only buy appliances that carry the Underwriters Laboratories mark or that of other well-regarded product safety organizations.
- Look for a dorm or off-campus housing that has a functioning and inclusive sprinkler system.
- Be sure you can hear the building’s alarm system when you are in your dorm room.
- Never remove batteries from, cover or disable a smoke alarm.
- Make sure outlets are not overloaded.
- Check electrical wires and cords on appliances, tools, lamps, etc., to make sure they’re not worn or frayed.
- Never run electrical wires or extension cords under carpets or heavy items, and never bunch them up behind a hot appliance.
- Unplug appliances when not in use.
- Ask if building management has installed at least one smoke alarm on each level, in each bedroom and outside each sleeping area. Make sure they’re maintained and tested regularly.
- Avoid using candles in dorms. Open flames should not be used around anything that can burn.
- Make sure you and your roommates know your dorm or housing’s safe meeting place if you have to escape.
- Keep all exits, hallways and stairwells clear so you can quickly and safely escape if needed.
- Check your school’s rules before using cooking appliances in your room. In dorms, 6 in 7 fires are started by cooking—so be extra careful.
