Back to school fire safety tips for university and college students

Back to school is right around the corner, and for many students, this means moving away from home and into a new apartment, house or dorm.

Whether leaving home for the first time or returning to school, these fire safety and prevention tips from Quinte West Fire/Rescue could save your life.

  • Pay attention while cooking – Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in Ontario. More than 1,190 cooking-related fires happen annually (Ontario 2015-2019). When preparing food, never leave anything you’re cooking unattended. If you’re sleepy or have consumed alcohol, do not use the stove or stovetop.
  • Be extra careful with candles – Candles are a major cause of fires. For a safer option, use battery-operated candles. They look and smell just as nice without the risk. If you burn candles, keep them away from anything flammable. Never leave a lit candle unattended and put it out before leaving a room or going to bed. 
  • Know the tools that keep you safe – Make sure you have a working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm. Only 45% of residential fires in 2010-2019 had functioning smoke alarms. If you live in a dorm, make sure you know the location of the closest fire alarm pull-station and the nearest exit on your floor. 
  • Have a plan – 40 years ago, you had 17 minutes to escape a fire. Today you have less than three (CloseYourDoor.org). Fire spreads faster than ever before because of synthetic materials, furniture, and construction. Make sure to plan and practise your fire escape plan. Know what to do and where to go in an emergency.

These tips can help everyone – not just those heading to school. Be sure to share these tips with family and friends. Find more fire prevention tips here.

Last Updated: 3 years ago

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