(NC)-With many college and university students returning home for Thanksgiving weekend, it is a perfect time for families to review something often left off initial campus packing lists: fire safety.
"Although fire safety codes and regulations are strong in Canada, students away at college and university need to be vigilant," says Carol Heller, a fire safety specialist with Kidde Canada, this country's largest manufacturer of fire and carbon monoxide safety products.
"Whether they live in a campus residence or in off-campus rental housing, students must inspect fire safety equipment. Parents also need to play a key role."
Safety officials say that what students and parents should look for are smoke alarms with no batteries, disconnected alarms, no carbon monoxide alarms present, and alarms installed in the wrong locations.
National statistics are not compiled in Canada, but figures for Ontario show that there were at least 78 Dormitory fires between 2000-2006 that did more than $300,000 in damage. While no fatalities were recorded, the stats only show part of the story, since they do not account for fires in off-campus student rental housing. Beginning in 2009 that will change, as Ontario begins collecting fire data for these as well.
Statistics from the United States indicate a troubling trend. The National Fire Protection Association says the number of reported fires in its dormitory occupancy group increased 3 per cent from 1980-2005 while, in comparison, structure fires of all types declined 52 per cent during the same period.
As well, more students perished in USA campus-related fires in the last school year than during any of the years monitored since 2000, as reported by the group Campus Firewatch in its monthly newsletter devoted to campus fire safety issues.
A total of 113 U.S. college students died in campus-related fires between January 2000 and August 2007, including 20 during the 2006-07 school year. Fatalities had been declining until last year's spike.
"Stats like these tell us we need to remind students they are not invincible, that fires do happen in campus-related settings, and that they need to protect themselves," Kidde's Carol Heller says. "Most fatal campus fires have the common element of missing or disabled smoke alarms. Think about it - student living means rooms full of books, paper, bedding, curtains, and clothes. Add to this cooking and candles, and even the tiniest mishap can have deadly consequences."
While in most situations the responsibility for smoke alarm installation and maintenance lies with the university or landlord, parents can help their child by adding a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm right in a student's bedroom. Also supply fresh batteries, and be sure to install smoke alarms with a "Hush" button that can be pressed to silence false alarms caused by cooking or shower steam. Fire extinguishers too are a good idea for small, contained fires.
These products truly could be the difference between life and death, especially since most incidents happen at night when early warning is especially critical to survival.
More campus fire safety tips can be found on the www.SafeAtHome.ca and www.campus-firewatch.com and www.nfpa.org web sites.
- News Canada