Dorm Fire Safety

The safety of dormitories ranks just as high as their security, but it is an issue that is not frequently addressed. Several accidents involving fires have occurred in dormitories across the country, which could easily have been easily prevented.

According to Garry Briese, executive director of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, parents and students should check for the following:

• Are there two exits in either direction from the dorm room?
• Are there smoke detectors and fire alarms?
• Is there an automatic sprinkler system with sprinkler heads in hallways, common areas and in each dorm room?
• Is the residence monitored from a central station?

Check with campus safety officials to see how frequently fire drills are conducted, and whether law requires them. It is a good idea to send your child off to school with a small battery-operated smoke detector for his dorm room. It will provide an extra measure of safety for your child, and it will give you some additional peace of mind.

It is important to be sure that your child is mature enough to live in a less supervised environment. Discuss important fire safety issues with your children. Make sure that they know the dangers of leaving burning candles unattended, overloading circuits, misusing cooking and portable heating equipment, and smoking in bed.

Briese offers some tips for students living in dorm situations on how to escape quickly and safely in the event a fire occurs.

• If you hear a smoke detector or fire alarm go off, do not ignore it.
• Before opening the door to your room, touch the doorknob. If it is hot, the fire is close and you should keep the door closed. If you are at ground level, you might be able to get out through the window. Otherwise, call 911 and tell the dispatcher your room number. Then stuff wet towels or blankets around the door to block smoke and heat from the hallway and hang something from the window to attract attention. Lie on the floor to stay under any smoke, toxic gases and heat that does seep into your room.
• If the doorknob feels cool, crack it open and check for smoke in the hallway. Leave your room only if there is little or no smoke; if possible, cover your mouth and nose with a damp cloth to help you breathe.

Immediately head toward the nearest available stairwell or door leading outside. Knock on doors as you leave and yell, "Fire!" As you make your way through the corridor, close any interior doors behind you to slow the spread of the fire. Pull the fire alarm only if it is on your way out.