University is an exciting new chapter for many young people, so don’t let a fire ruin it.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is asking students studying in Berkshire to take extra care to prevent a fire breaking out in their accommodation.
Paul Scott, Prevention Manager at RBFRS, says: “Freshers’ Week is an exciting new start for students, and for some young people, their first time living away from home. It’s a busy period for learning new life skills and meeting friends, but it’s important for students to keep safety in mind in their new homes.
“Kitchen fires are the most common type of incident we attend in student accommodation, often where someone has become distracted when cooking. So, remember to keep looking when cooking! Keep flammable items away from the stove and oven and never leave your cooking unattended.
“In the event of a fire, follow your accommodation’s evacuation policy. Read the steps and familiarise yourself with the process, so you can act quickly in an emergency.”
Follow this short how-to guide to keep yourself and others safe this academic year.
Step 1 – Settling into Your New Home
- Ensure you know what the fire safety rules are in your accommodation – such as candle bans or not smoking in rooms – and follow them. They’re there to keep you safe!
- All universities and accommodation sites will have a person responsible for fire safety. Speak to them if you have any questions or concerns.
Step 2 – Smoke Alarms
- Make sure you are aware of any fire drill schedules, and never ignore fire alarms or smoke alarms that sound in your building.
- Never disconnect your smoke alarms or cover them in any way.
- Smoke alarms should be tested once a week to ensure the batteries work.
Step 3 – Keep Looking When Cooking
- Don’t leave cooking unattended, and don’t cook if you are under the influence of alcohol or medications with sedative effects.
- Keep flammable items such as tea towels, oven mitts, and long hair and clothing away from stovetops.
- Turn pan handles inward to prevent yourself from accidentally knocking them over.
Step 4 – Electrical Fire Safety
- Never 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 charging on your bed. If a fire were to start, it could spread rapidly, so only charge 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 to avoid overcharging.
- If you notice any signs of wear and tear – such as split cables, scorch marks or plugs becoming very hot – then do not use it.
Step 5 – Evacuating in the Event of a Fire
- 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.
- In the event of a fire, follow your accommodation’s evacuation policy.
For more information, visit the Your Safety pages on our website and read our Fire Safety for Students leaflet.