Preparation
Almost a quarter of all school fires are started intentionally. Needless to say, implementing these security measures are vital:
- Exterior lighting with timers, motion- or daylight- detection sensors.
- Shrubbery and trees trimmed to keep areas around the building unobstructed.
- Intrusion alarms on doors, windows, ventilator openings and roof hatches.
- Trash receptacles stored away from buildings to reduce danger of fire. Locked metal lids for extra protection.
- Encourage neighbors to alert school personnel to signs of vandalism.
Education
Educating and preparing students for a fire emergency should be a priority.
- Conduct expected and unexpected monthly fire drills in which everyone participates - make sure people are aware of what the fire alarm sounds like.
- Inspect exits regularly to ensure stairways, doors and windows are unblocked and working properly.
- Train students on how to respond to a fire alarm.
- Know locations of the fire protection system, fire alarm pull stations and sprinklers.
- Make sure every room has a map showing 2 exits.
- Pair students with specific needs to an adult or classmate for extra assistance.
- Have a predetermined location where students know to meet once they exit the building.
- Order and speed should be maintained to ensure a safe exit from the school building.
- Have a roster to ensure every student is accounted for.
- At the end of the day unplug all electrical equipment.
College fire safety
On-campus precautions
- Cook only in designated areas.
- Keep cooking areas clean and free of clutter.
- Never leave cooking unattended.
- In case of a fire inside a microwave, close the door and unplug the unit.
Campus lab precautions
- Never leave lab experiments or pressure vessels unattended.
- Keep flammable gases and chemicals away from heat.
Off-campus precautions
- Be sure each bedroom has a working smoke alarm.
- Make sure the building sprinkler system is well maintained.
- Building heating and fire-prevention systems need to be checked annually by fire officials.
General precautions
- Identify the 2 closest exits and all possible evacuation routes.
- Know locations of fire alarms and how to use them.
- Report vandalized fire equipment to campus security.
