College Safety

According to the 2003 International Fire Code "A diagram depicting two evacuation routes shall be posted on or immediately adjacent to every required exit door from a sleeping room."

Emergency Evacuation or Action Plans are often posted on the inside of individual dorm/guest rooms.  If you cannot locate a posted copy, check with occupant of the room to find out where this plan is located.

• In your own dorm you should read and understand your building’s Emergency Exit plan.

• Stairways are the primary escape route. NEVER use elevators in fire emergencies.

• Exits and stairways should always be kept free of debris and storage.

• Fire doors to stairways should never be blocked open. This protects the exit path.

If you must evacuate the building in the event of a fire:                 

•  Check the door for heat on the other side by using the back of your hand (it's more sensitive to the heat).

If the door is not hot:        

• Open the door and sound the fire alarm (if not already sounded) by activating the manual pull station by the exit on your way out no matter how small a fire seems.

• The last person out of the room should close the door.  Do not lock it. A locked door hinders search and rescue efforts by emergency responders.

• Proceed to the exit as instructed by the posted evacuation plan.

• Never use the elevators.

• Report to your designated reassembly area.

If the door is hot:              

• Do not open a hot door.  Try another exit. If none exists, seal the cracks around the doors and vents with wet towels, clothing or sheets to keep smoke from entering the room.

• If trapped stay low and away from smoke.  Call 9-1-1,the fire department from a phone that’s safely away from the fire.

• Go to a window and wave a sheet or piece of clothing to notify emergency responders where you are located.

If your exit is blocked by smoke -

• Crawl low under smoke.  Hot air rises so the smoke above knee level is extremely hot.  It is much easier to see at knee level too.

If your clothes catch on fire you should STOP where you are, DROP to the ground, cover your eyes and face with your hands and ROLL until the flames are smothered out.

Practice Fire Safety every day and get your dorm neighbors to do so too. Remember, you are only as safe as your neighbor is.  A fire in a room next door could trap you and leave you little or no time to escape.

Your dorm should have specific rules about fire safety and you should follow them. If not already addressed in your building safety rules, here are some additional tips that may save your life:

• Candles should be extinguished when not in use.  Don’t leave them unattended!   Keep them away from curtains, flammable items, and unstable surfaces.  They can easily be knocked over and start a fire.

• Halogen lamps should never be covered with fabric or other flammable items.  Keep a safe distance from drapes and curtains. These items can overheat and start a fire.

• Never leave cigarettes unattended in an ashtray and never smoke in bed.  Never empty ashtrays into flammable containers.

• Lighters and matches should be kept away from heating sources. Keep them away from visiting children.

• Kerosene lamps, lanterns and hurricane lamps should never be used or stored in your room.  They use too much oxygen and contain hazardous chemicals.

• Keep portable heaters away from walls and flammable articles.

• Turn off and unplug any electrical appliances, toaster ovens, hair dryers, curling irons, etc. that are not in use.  Off switches can fail.

• Don’t overload outlets.  Older buildings often have not received modernized electrical systems and can overload and blow breakers easily.

• Never hang anything from or around fire sprinklers.  This can prevent the sprinkler from operating properly.

• Designate two people to ensure all appliances are off, candles are out and smoking materials are extinguished after parties.

• NEVER IGNORE THE FIRE ALARM!