Importance of students be schooled on dorm electrical safety

College students soon will pack into dorms and apartments with study lamps, laptops, TV’s, stereos, grooming and other electrical devices. Before unloading and plugging in electronics, make sure your student is educated on safe appliance use and precautions against electrical hazards.

The National Fire Protection Association estimates that nearly 1,600 fires occur in campus housing each year. Overloaded circuits are the second leading cause of these campus fires. The limited number of electrical outlets in student rooms tempt many to use multiple extension cords and power strips, which can cause cords to overheat, creating a shock and fire hazard. Student residences crammed with books, papers and bedding can allow the smallest spark to quickly become a blaze.

Safety steps to prevent and reduce the risk of electrical fires and accidents in student housing include:

• Purchase and use only UL-rated electrical appliances and power cords.
• Do not overload extension cords, power strips or outlets.
• Never use extension cords on a continuous basis; they serve temporary solutions only.
• Use power strips with an over-current protector that will shut off power automatically if there is too much current being drawn.
• Never tack or nail an electrical cord to any surface, or run cords across traffic paths, under rugs or furniture.
• Use light bulbs with the correct wattage for lamps. If no indication is on the product, do not use a bulb with more than 60 watts.
• Keep all electrical appliances and cords safely away from bedding, curtains and other flammable material.
• Make sure outlets around sinks are GFCI equipped before use.
• Unplug small household appliances when not in use and all electronics when away for extended periods.

Older wiring in student housing and apartments may not be able to handle the increased electrical demand of today’s college student. If use of an appliance frequently causes power to trip off, or if its power cord or the outlet feels hot, the appliance should be disconnected immediately and the condition reported to the landlord or campus housing staff.

A fire escape plan is essential for every student. It is important that apartment and dorm residents know evacuation procedures and emergency exit locations in the event of a fire. Emphasize to students that smoke detectors should never be disabled, nor should fire alarms ever be ignored or taken casually as a drill. If a fire alarm sounds, residents should calmly and quickly follow practiced procedures and immediately exit the building. Apartment and dorm doors should be closed behind to prevent fire spread.