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Jun 30, 2023

NFPA, CCFS Offer Tips For Campus Fire Safety Month

NFPA and the Center for Campus Fire Safety provide steps to reduce fire risk in dorms, off-campus, and Greek housing. As the new school year comes around, college students across the country are

NFPA and the Center for Campus Fire Safety provide steps to reduce fire risk in dorms, off-campus, and Greek housing.

As the new school year comes around, college students across the country are preparing to move to campus in a dormitory or off-campus housing. Through the annual Campus Fire Safety for Students campaign in September, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and The Center for Campus Fire Safety (CCFS) are working together to help ensure these residences are as safe as possible for students.

Campus Fire Safety Month raises awareness about the threat of fires in both on- and off-campus housing. It puts relevant safety information in the hands of students, their parents, and campus housing staff and administrators, helping students make living spaces as safe as possible from fires and associated hazards.

According to CCFS, from January 2000 to April 2023, 94 fatal fires occurred on a college campus, in Greek housing, or in off-campus housing within three miles of the campus, claiming 134 lives. Of the 94 fires, 38 were accidental involving cooking, candles, smoking, or electrical equipment, and resulted in 51 student fatalities.

In addition, according to NFPA’s latest Fires in Dormitory-Type Properties report, between 2017 – 2021, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 3,379 structure fires each year in dormitories, fraternity houses, sorority houses, and barracks. Fires in dormitory-type properties caused an annual average of 23 civilian injuries and $12 million in direct property damage during that period. Approximately three out of four fires in these properties began in the kitchen or cooking area, accounting for 60 percent of the civilian injuries and 17 percent of the direct property damage. Cooking equipment was involved in nearly nine out of 10 fires.

Following are additional statistics from the report:

“As students return to campus this fall, many of them will be preparing their own meals, some using kitchen appliances for the first time or cooking food after coming home late from studying or a party,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA and CCFS Advisory Council member. “The numbers tell us that more education is needed around when and where cooking hazards exist, along with ways to prevent them. Campus Fire Safety Month is a great opportunity to share information and resources that help raise awareness of fire safety on our college campuses.”

NFPA and CCFS offer these tips and recommendations for cooking safely in dorms and in off-campus housing:

These additional tips from NFPA and CCFS can help students reduce the risk of fires and save lives:

See more information about the Campus Fire Safety for Students campaign and to find free resources here.