Fire Safety

Student Fire Safety Tips – Shared Accommodation

With students moving away from home for the first time moving into shared accommodation it is important they know the risks and have a smoke and heat alarm installed with fires seven times more likely to occur in rented accommodation.

According to sensor fire between 2017-2022 there were 1,500 injuries caused to those aged between 18-24 from smoking and candles. Further stats show that 55% of fire-associated deaths for those aged between 18 and 24 are caused by ill use of cooking appliances and poor handling of hot items.

Stay safe in the kitchen

  • More than half of all fires are started in the kitchen, so it is vital that appropriate care is taken when cooking (especially if you have been drinking!).
  • Some of the most common sources of kitchen fire are from leaving cooking appliances on or unattended, or when oil ignites.

Avoid candles and cigarettes

  • Candles cause more than 5 fires a day
  • Many new students will be sent off to university with candles and incense to make their halls more homely, but such items pose a significant fire risk. Candles themselves cause more than 5 fires every day.
  • Always remember to blow out candles and incense sticks before going to sleep or leaving the room. Ensure that they are situated away from flammable items such as clothing, bedding or curtains, and paperwork, or to fully remove the risk, try battery-powered candles or reed diffusers.
  • (smoking in rooms is banned in university accommodation, you should never smoke in rooms and be careful not to drop ash on flammable objects).

Turn off electrical items

  • Turn off any electrical items that you will not be using overnight. Fires can spread rapidly and can cause severe damage before being noticed, you can reduce the risk overnight by turning off any unused electrical appliances.
  • Overloading sockets is a big no-go, never overload electrical sockets or electrical adaptors. Take particular caution with extension leads/adaptors and high-powered items like kettles, heaters, and irons to ensure they will not exceed the maximum current rating stated.

Installing a heat alarm in the kitchen can help alert the risk of a fire, and remember in the event of any fire make sure you have an escape plan in place.