- Prevention and safety information to help Americans stay safe from fire.
- Fire prevention resources for America’s career and volunteer Fire Service.
- Coloring pages, puzzles and games that teach kids how to stay safe from fire.
College Dorms
Media stories can save lives! A news story about a residential fire provides a valuable opportunity to give your community a safety message during a teachable moment. Drop in these prevention tips and facts, and you just might save a life.
All U.S. homes - including college dorms and fraternity and sorority houses - should have working smoke alarms.
Fires can be prevented. A few easy steps can save your life!
- Know and practice your building's fire escape plan.
- If the alarm sounds, get out right away. Never ignore an alarm.
- If the door is hot, don't open it. If the door is not hot, open it carefully and check for smoke or fire.
- During a fire, don't stop to gather your stuff or look for other people.
- As you leave, knock on doors and shout "FIRE!"
- If you can't get out of your room, yell and shout, and hang a sheet from the window.
- Never tamper with smoke alarms, fire alarms, or sprinklers. Don't prop open stairways or fire doors.
- Don't overload outlets or extension cords.
- Never walk away from cooking. Use cooking appliances correctly.
- Don't smoke if you're tired or you've been drinking. Never smoke in bed.
- Keep halogen lamps away from anything that can burn.
- Put out candles and incense if you leave the room or go to bed.
College Dorm Fire Facts
- Cooking is the leading cause of fire injuries on college campuses, followed closely by careless smoking and arson.
- Misuse of cooking appliances, overloaded electrical circuits, and extension cords increase the risk of fires.
- Alcohol is often a factor in fatal fires on college campuses.
- The number of fires in college dorms has not dropped as quickly as other types of structure fires.