Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has proclaimed September as Campus Fire Safety Month.
As college students settle into dormitories, residence halls and off-campus housing across the state, Gov. Beshear urged students to take the threat of fire seriously.
“Awareness, education and enforcement of safety and security measures are keys to keeping our young adults safe,” he said.
Kentucky State Fire Marshal Bill Swope said that it’s important to remind students to be proactive in their approach to campus safety.
“Besides fire safety education, there are three elements of which students need to be aware: make sure smoke detectors are operational; make sure you live in a dormitory with sprinklers; and know two ways out of your dormitory, campus building or off-campus residence. These offer the best chances of survival in a fire situation,” said Swope.
Now in its ninth year, National Campus Fire Safety Month has provided an opportunity for schools and communities across the nation during September to educate students about the dangers of fire and their role in creating a fire-safe environment.
Kentucky’s Division of Fire Prevention offers the following safety tips for students:
• Make yourself familiar with college or university policy on improper use of appliances, decorations, smoking, and candles.
• Familiarize yourself with what your response will be in the event of a fire and practice your response.
• Do not obstruct or disable smoke alarms or any other fire protection devices.
• Do not play jokes with fire alarms. False alarms get people hurt.
• Never neglect a fire alarm signal as a false alarm. Respond to every alarm as an actual fire event.
• Alcohol use has been strongly associated with fire fatalities.
• Take personal responsibility for your safety.
Additional information on campus fire safety is available online at www.campus-firewatch.com/.