Source: Northern Ireland Direct
Date published:
Students are urged to be aware of the dangers of fire. Fire safety advice could be one of the most important lessons for students during their time at university or college.
Smoke alarm and fire escape plan
All students should take personal responsibility for looking after themselves and their housemates to protect them from the dangers of fire.
Living away from home, especially if it’s for the first time, can be very exciting and it’s easy to get caught up in student life and forget about fire safety.
Check your student accommodation to make sure it’s fire safe and fire safety checks should always be part of your routine.
It’s important to have a working smoke alarm fitted on each level of accommodation and to test them once a week. This will alert you and your housemates to the earliest stage of a fire, giving vital extra time to escape.
You should follow a good fire safe bedtime routine – checking a few things before going to bed can reduce the risk of fire. It only takes a minute and could save lives, so:
- make sure all electrical appliances not designed to be left on are disconnected
- fully put out cigarettes
- close all doors
Also, take some time to agree a fire escape plan to make sure everyone is clear what to do in an emergency. This means knowing where the fire exits are and making sure furniture or stored items do not block them.
If there is no fire exit, plan an alternative escape route other than by the main entrance door.
You can find out more about fire safety at this link:
If you go home at weekends, make sure that accommodation is safely secured and protected from the risk of fire.
Student fire safety advice
You should:
- test your smoke alarm every week
- prepare a fire escape plan and know where your door keys are
- carry out a night-time fire safe check routine
- never leave cooking unattended, not even for a minute
- never cook, light candles or use electric heaters when under the influence of alcohol
- turn off all electrical appliances not designed to be left on
- avoid overloading sockets
- make sure you don’t leave phone, tablet and laptop on their chargers longer than necessary
- put a guard on open fires
- put out all cigarettes and empty ashtrays into a non-combustible container
- never smoke in bed
You should also check that any fire alarm system in your accommodation is working. If it is showing a fault, contact the landlord or the Estates Officer at the university immediately.
If a fire starts:
- close the door on the fire
- alert everyone in the property if safe to do so
- get out and stay out
- call 999 and get the Fire and Rescue Service out
There is more information at this link: