Do you have kids or grandkids returning—or headed for the first time—to live in a college dorm or apartment?
Among the many things they learn, make sure safety is at the top of the list. There are more than 3,300 fires on college campuses every year, resulting in tens of millions of dollars in property damage and even worse, bodily injury.
College students use electronics for school, work and play. MidSouth Electric Cooperative suggests the following practices to prevent electrical accidents in your college student’s living space.
If extension cord use is necessary, make sure to unplug when not in use. Dorm rooms and apartments often do not provide enough electrical outlets to support today’s electronic usage. Remember, extension cords are only for temporary use, and overloaded extension cords can start fires.
Consider purchasing power strips with surge protection, which will shut off power automatically if too much current is drawn.
Lightbulb wattage should match the lamp. Check for a tag indicating the correct bulb size. If no indication appears on the fixture, a bulb that uses no more than 60 watts, or the 9-watt LED equivalent, is best.
Never tack, nail or staple an electrical cord to any surface. Don’t run cords across traffic paths or under rugs or furniture.
Keep all electrical appliances and cords safely away from bedding, curtains and other flammable materials.
Discard or repair damaged or overheating electronics. It might be tempting to save money by using an appliance with a damaged plug or cord, or one that is feeling warm to the touch, but don’t do it. Damaged or older electronics can electrocute and cause fires.
If lights flicker, electronics shut off unexpectedly or breakers trip, notify campus or apartment housing staff immediately.
Watch out for overheated outlets. If an electrical outlet becomes hot to the touch, there is potential for a fire. Unplug everything from the outlet and notify staff immediately.
Know what to do in case there is a fire in the building, including escape routes and meeting plans.
