Get Out and Stay Alive
Campus-related fatal fires since January 2000 have five common factors:
- Over 80 percent occur in off-campus housing, such as rented houses and apartments.
- These occupancies lacked automatic fire sprinklers.
- There were missing or disabled smoke alarms.
- Careless disposal of smoking materials was a common factor in the fire cause.
- Impaired judgment from alcohol consumption played a role.
Take these steps to increase your fire safety:
- Plan and practice: Have a fire escape plan. Know two ways to get out. Practice your plan.
- Detect: Have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace the batteries at the start of each semester. Test monthly.
- Extinguish (if trained): Have a working fire extinguisher. Know how to use the extinguisher and check it monthly.
- Burn smart: Keep combustibles three feet away from any flame or heat source. Extinguish flames before leaving the room. Place ashes in a proper receptacle.
- Get out: Do not ignore fire alarms. Do not wait to see fire or smoke. Leave immediately when you hear an alarm.
For more, see the U.Va. Office of Environmental Health & Safety and Housing Division resources or contact the Office of Emergency Preparedness at 434-982-0565 or uvaoep@virginia.edu.