Life Safety 101

Living away from home involves a lot of new responsibilities -- including keeping your dorm, fraternity house or sorority house safe from fire.

Cooking

•Cook only where its permitted.

•If you use a kitchen, keep it clean and uncluttered.

•If you use electric appliances, don't overload circuits.

•And stick around : never leave cooking unattended.

Smoking

•If you must smoke, smoke only where it's permitted.

•Use large, deep, non-tip ashtrays.

•Don't smoke in bed.

•It's risky to smoke when you've been drinking or when you're drowsy.

•Soak cigarettes before you empty ashtrays.

•After a party, check furniture and cushions for smoldering butts.

Candles

Fire officials are very concerned with the recent increase in fires and fire deaths caused by the careless use of candles.

•Burn candles only if your school permits their use.

•Don't leave burning candles unattended.

•Keep papers, curtains, and anything that burns away from lit candles.

•Use sturdy candle holders and don't let candles burn down all the way.

•Don't let candles drip onto anything that can burn.

Be Prepared for a Fire

•Your building has an evacuation plan. Learn it and participate in all fire drills as if they were the real thing. False alarms are no joke -- report them.

•Learn the location of all building exits. You may have to find your way out in the dark.

•Smoke alarms cut your chances of dying in a fire nearly in half. Don't defeat them or remove their batteries.

•Fire sprinkler systems can save lives and property. They protect their immediate area by extinguishing or containing flame. Don't hang anything from sprinkler pipes or nozzles.

•Portable fire extinguishers can put out small, contained fires. Don't play with them.

If you hear a fire alarm, leave immediately. Close doors behind you as you go. Take your room keys; if you can't escape, you may have to return to your room.

Escape Tips

•If you have to escape through smoke, crawl, keeping your head 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters) above the floor, where the air will be cleaner.

•Test doorknobs and spaces around the door with the back of your hand. If the door is warm, try another escape route. If it's cool, open it slowly. Slam it shut if smoke pours through and use an alternative exit.

•Use the stairs; never use an elevator during a fire.

•If you're trapped, call the fire department and tell them where you are. Seal your door with rags and signal from your window. Open windows slightly at the top and bottom, but close them if smoke rushes in from any direction.

No building is completely safe. Even if your dorm or house is concrete, you could be overcome by toxic fumes from a small fire.