Governor proclaims September as Campus Fire Safety Month
State Fire Marshal reminds students to be aware of hazards
As students are returning to campuses across the state, fire prevention experts are encouraging both parents and students to learn about fire prevention strategies.
Gov. Steve Beshear has proclaimed September as Campus Fire Safety Month in Kentucky.
“College students living away from home should take a few minutes to make sure they are living in a fire-safe environment. Educating students on what they can do to stay safe during the school year is important and often overlooked,” said Kentucky State Fire Marshal Bill Swope
The number of reported fires in dormitories across the United States have increased 18 percent, from 3,200 in 1980 to 3,780 in 2011.
The National Campus Fire Safety Month campaign is in its 11th year.
Kentucky’s Division of Fire Prevention offers the following safety tips for college students:
- Get familiar with university policy on proper use of appliances, decorations, candles, and smoking.
- Figure out what your response should be in the event of a fire and practice it.
- Do not obstruct or disable smoke alarms or any other fire protection devices.
- Do not play jokes with fire alarms. False alarms get people hurt.
- Never neglect a fire alarm signal as a false alarm. Respond to every alarm as an actual fire event.
- Alcohol use has been strongly associated with fire fatalities.
- Take personal responsibility for your safety.
For information on campus fire safety, visit http://www.campus-firewatch.com/.