10 Fire Safety Tips Every College Student Needs to Know

Heading off to college is an exciting time for students and parents alike. Living alone for the first time gives young adults more freedom and choices. But that independence also comes with new responsibilities, including knowing how to prevent and respond to a fire.

Stay Prepared for College

Whether your student is getting ready to live in a dorm, apartment, or off-campus house, now is the time to build simple fire safety habits that can provide peace of mind and help save lives.

Download our College Fire Safety Checklist, featuring the 10 tips below plus a fire escape plan on the back that students can fill out for their dorm, apartment, or off-campus house.

Campus fire safety is one of the first things students should learn about before settling into college life.

Let’s take a look at 10 college fire safety tips every student — and parent — should know before move-in day:

1. Take cooking safety seriously
Did you know? Cooking is the number one cause of fires in the United States, and campus housing is no exception. About 80% of dorm fires involve cooking equipment, such as hot plates and air fryers. Stoves, microwaves, and ovens pose a risk in off-campus housing.

To prevent kitchen fires, only cook in designated areas, and never leave food on the stove unattended. Keep items that can catch fire, like food packaging, mail, or dish cloths, away from the stove.

If you’re tired, distracted, or have been drinking, skip the cooking. Trying to cook while intoxicated increases the chance of falling asleep, forgetting about food, or making a risky decision in the moment.

What to do if you have a cooking fire: On the stovetop, put a lid on the pan or skillet to smother the flames, then turn off the burner. Never pour water on a grease fire, and don’t try to move the pan outside or to your sink. For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. If the fire does not go out quickly, get out and call 911.

2. Use caution with candles
There’s a reason most campus housing policies don’t allow candles in dorm rooms or apartments. Exposed flames in tight spaces can become dangerous quickly, especially when they’re near flammable curtains, bedsheets, papers, or aerosol sprays.

Ditch the candles for flameless alternatives like scented wall plug-ins, reed diffusers, or LED lights.

3. Don’t overload outlets
Multiple students living in one space means multiple sets of electronics. Between laptops, phones, mini fridges, lamps, gaming systems, hair appliances, and other electronics, all the cords can add up quickly.

If you need more outlets, use a surge protector with overload protection. Don’t plug multiple power strips into one another (also known as “daisy-chaining”). Likewise, don’t plug large appliances or high-energy electronics into extension cords. If a cord is damaged or frayed, don’t use it.

4. Know how to use a fire extinguisher
Take a minute to locate the nearest fire extinguisher in your dorm. If you live in off-campus housing, you may need to purchase your own. For many living spaces, an ABC fire extinguisher is the best option.

Just as important as having a fire extinguisher on hand is knowing how to use it. Only use a fire extinguisher on a small fire with your back to the exit. A helpful way to remember how to use a fire extinguisher is the acronym P.A.S.S.:

Pull the pin.
Aim at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the handle.
Sweep side to side.

If a fire starts, call 911 immediately. Even if you think the fire is out, it’s worth having the fire department complete an inspection to make sure.

5. Test smoke alarms
Working smoke alarms can save lives, giving you more time to exit in an emergency. When choosing off-campus housing, make sure there are working smoke alarms on every level, inside every bedroom, and outside sleeping areas.

Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries as needed.

6. Always have an out
This safety tip applies to virtually any space: dorm rooms, apartments, classrooms, bars, crowded house parties — anywhere you spend time. Always know two ways to get out of a room. If you feel uncomfortable somewhere, trust your instincts and leave.

In an emergency, use the stairs, not an elevator. If you live above the first floor in an off-campus house or apartment, consider investing in a portable escape ladder.

7. Take alarms seriously
It’s easy to assume a fire alarm is just a drill or false alarm, especially in a dorm setting. Mistakes happen, and alarms can be set off by burnt food or steam. The truth is, fires can spread quickly, and waiting to find out whether an alarm is “real” can cost you valuable time.

If an alarm goes off, don’t waste time trying to grab personal items. Leave quickly. Talk with your roommates ahead of time and choose a safe place to meet outside in case of a fire.

8. Practice safe sleeping habits
Sleeping with your door closed can help slow the spread of smoke, heat, and flames, giving you more time to wake up and get out in the event of an emergency.

It’s also smart to keep charging devices off your bed. Phones, laptops, and chargers can overheat when covered by blankets or pillows. Charge them on a hard, flat surface instead.

9. Know smoking safety
While many campuses are smoke-free, be aware of the risks of smoking in off-campus housing or other permitted areas. Cigarettes should be fully extinguished and discarded in proper containers — not trash cans. Never smoke in bed or anywhere you could fall asleep.

10. Remember the basics
In a fire, every second matters. Get out, stay out, and call 911. Alert roommates or neighbors if you can do so safely, but don’t put yourself at risk.

If you see smoke, stay low to the ground. If a door feels hot, keep it closed and use another way out. Once you’re outside, don’t try to go back inside until emergency responders say it’s safe.

Stay Prepared. Enjoy College!
Whether your student is getting ready to live in a dorm, apartment, or off-campus house, now is the time to build simple fire safety habits that can provide peace of mind and save lives.

Want to keep these tips handy? Our College Fire Safety one-pager includes the 10 tips above, plus a fire escape plan on the back that students can fill out for their dorm, apartment, or off-campus house.

At Silco, fire safety is what we do every day. We help colleges, schools, businesses, and property owners protect their people and property with reliable fire protection products, installation, and support. From fire extinguishers and fire alarms to sprinkler systems, exit and emergency lighting, and even live fire training classes, we are your trusted partner for all your fire safety needs.

We care about creating a safe campus culture because we’re the parents and family members of college students, too. Learn more about Silco’s fire protection services and contact our team to see how we can help protect what matters most to you.