Student Fire Safety Advice
You’re more likely to be preoccupied with new timetables and getting
reacquainted with mates and the student union than worrying about domestic
duties such as cleaning rotas, bills or crucially, fire safety. But on average,
five people aged 17-24 are killed or injured by fires each day, and statistics
show that you are more than twice as likely to die in a fire if you don’t have a
working smoke alarm. So get a smoke alarm and check it regularly.
Moving out of home into your own place where you can do what you want, when you
want is great but you have to get clued up on potential dangers in the home.
When you live in your own accommodation you’re responsible for yourself and no
one is there to look after you.
Here are the Fire Kills campaign’s top tips for ensuring you stay safe from fire
in your home:
- Fit smoke alarms on each level of the house and test them weekly
- Never leave cooking unattended
- Take extra care with cigarettes and smoking materials and never smoke in
bed – when a cigarette is finished, put it out, right out!
- Never leave candles or tea lights unattended and ensure that they are put
in safe holders
- Switch off electrical appliances when not in use, unless they’re designed
to stay on – like a freezer
- Check furniture has the fire-resistant permanent label
- Plan and practice an escape route with your housemates
- If a fire starts get out, stay out and call 999
What to do next.
Look out for ‘Fire Kills ambassadors’ at your university.
Fire and Rescue Services across England offer free Home Fire Risk Checks to
students. They will visit your home and advise on the best escape route to take,
check your home for fire hazards and may also install a working smoke alarm free
of charge. For more information on how to protect you and your family from fire
and to book a home fire risk check, visit
www.direct.gov.uk/firekills
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