Top tips for Student Fire Safety Week 2018

Taking place from the 22nd - 28th October, Student Fire Safety Week aims to highlight the importance of fire safety within university accommodation.

Living away from home and going to university is a very exciting time, so it’s easy to get caught up in student life and forget about fire safety.

However, it’s vital that all students take responsibility for themselves and their housemates and be aware of the dangers of fires as this could potentially be the difference between life and death.

Below, we’ve put together some top tips for fire safety in student accommodation:

• Check smoke alarms weekly: Smoke alarms should be fitted on each level of the accommodation and it’s important that these are tested once a week to ensure they’re in working order. Most fire and rescue services offer something call a Safe and Well visit where they carry out an inspection of the premises and smoke alarms.
• Switch off electricals when not in use: Electrical appliances should be switched off and unplugged when not in use. If going home on weekends ensure that the electricals that aren’t designed to be left on are unplugged.
• Don’t overload sockets: It’s important not to overload plug sockets. Electrical Safety First have created a Socket Calculator which you can use to check whether you’re exceeding your socket load and what safe loads are. Check this out here.
• Don’t leave candles or cigarettes unattended: Take extra care with candles and cigarettes. Keep candles and tea lights in safe holders and make sure that when a cigarette is finished, you fully put it out, don’t smoke in bed and always be sensible.
  
• Remember your fire safety plans: When you start university, you’ll get told where your fire exits and assembly points are. Take note of where you’re told to go and what you’re told - You’ll need to know this information if I fire was to occur.

University and colleges have fire wardens who are responsible for fire safety. If you spot a fire risk or have any concerns report it to them.

Here at Vulcan Fire Training, we offer a range of fire safety training courses at venues across the UK and have recently announced our course dates for 2019, check them out here.