Fire tips for university, college students to ensure safe back-to-school year

Prevention tips could save your life

Yorkregion.com
Aug. 31, 2021
Yoyo Yan

Back-to-school is right around the corner and for many students that means moving away from home and into a new apartment, house or dorm.

Whether leaving home for the first time or returning to school, these fire safety and prevention tips could save your life.

Pay attention while cooking -- Cooking is the #1 cause of home fires in Ontario. More than 1,190 cooking-related fires happen annually (Ontario 2015-2019). When preparing food, never leave anything you're cooking unattended. If you're sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don't use the stove or stovetop.

Be extra careful with candles -- Candles are a major cause of fires. For a safer option, use battery operated candles. They look and smell just as nice without the risk. If you burn candles, keep them away from anything flammable. Never leave a lit candle unattended and put it out before you leave a room or go to bed.

Know the tools that keep you safe -- Make sure you have a working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm. Only 45 per cent of residential fires from 2010-2019 had functioning smoke alarms. In 2020, Richmond Hill's Fire and Emergency Services (RHFES) responded to over 200 carbon monoxide-related calls. If you live in a dorm, make sure you know the location of the closest fire alarm pull station and the nearest emergency exit from your floor.

Have a plan -- 40 years ago, you had 17 minutes to escape a fire. Today you have less than three (CloseYourDoor.org). Fire spreads faster than ever before because of synthetic materials, furniture and construction. Make sure to plan and practice your fire escape plan. Know what to do and where to go during an emergency.

Fire Safety is for everyone!

These tips can help all residents -- not just those heading to school so please share with your students, family and friends.

To help spread the word more visually, Richmond Hill's Fire and Emergency Services has installed graphics on three of their fire station doors as well as six fire trucks. Another way the city is working to keep our community safe.

For more information on fire prevention, visit RichmondHill.ca/FirePrevention.