University is an exciting phase for many young people. Don’t let fire ruin it.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is urging students coming to study in Berkshire to keep themselves safe from fire.
For the start of the academic term, the Service is working with university students to reduce the risk of a fire starting in their accommodation.
Paul Scott, Prevention Manager at RBFRS, says: “Starting or returning to university is an exciting time for many young people. We know that it’s a busy period for students who have to balance living away from home, making new friends and learning new skills, which is why fire safety might be overlooked.
“Staying safe from fire doesn’t have to be hard. Most incidents that we attend at student accommodation are kitchen fires, often caused when someone has become distracted. Remember to keep looking when cooking! Do not leave cooking unattended and keep flammable items away from your stovetops.
“In the event of a fire, follow your accommodation’s evacuation policy. Familiarise yourself with the steps to take, so that you can act quickly in the event of an emergency.”
Follow this short guide to keep yourself and others safe at university:
Basic Housekeeping in Your New Home
- Ensure you know what the fire safety rules are in your accommodation and follow them, such as any ban on candles or smoking in rooms.
- All universities and accommodation sites will have a person responsible for fire safety – speak to them if you have any concerns.
Smoke Alarms – Pay Attention
- Make sure you are aware of any fire drills and never ignore fire alarms or smoke alarms that sound in your building.
- Never cover up smoke alarms or disconnect them in any way.
- Smoke alarms should be tested once a week.
Keep Looking When Cooking
- Don’t leave cooking unattended, and don’t attempt to cook if you have been drinking alcohol.
- Keep flammable items such as tea towels, oven mitts and long clothing away from stovetops.
Electrical Fire Safety 101
- Do not overload electrical plug sockets and remember to switch off electrical products like hair dryers or hair straighteners when not in use.
- Don’t leave phones, tablets and laptops on your bed. If a fire were to start, it could spread rapidly, so only charge your devices on a flat, solid surface.
- Do not leave devices like phones, tablets and laptops unattended while charging. Unplug the devices before you go to sleep.
Evacuation Policies
- Make sure you and your housemates know the quickest way to get out of your accommodation in the event of a fire.
- Always keep your fire exits and escape routes clear of clutter.
- Do not tamper with fire safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire alarms and fire exit signs.
- Follow your accommodation’s evacuation policy in the event of a fire.
For more information, visit the Your Safety pages on our website and see our Fire Safety for Students leaflet.