Environmental Health & Safety
201 Carter Drive, Suite 100
West Chester, PA 19383
(610) 436-2129
Fax: (610) 436-3464
JBrill@wcupa.edu


WINTER FIRE SAFETY TIPS

 

 

Winter time is holiday time - and that means lots of cooking, lots of entertaining and unfortunately, lots of opportunities for residential fires to occur. The Fire Safety Division of EHS urges everyone to pay particular attention to fire safety during the holiday season whether you live in on campus housing or in a residence off campus.Refer to the Holiday Fire Safety Policy for more information about fire safety regulations during the holidays on campus.

During the holiday season, electrical fires are one of the leading causes of damage to residential structures. Specific causes included:

  • Overloaded electrical outlets
  • Misuse of extension cords
  • Not turning off lights and decorations before going to bed or leaving the residence
  • Old or worn holiday lights
  • Old or worn out appliances and electrical cords

Winter Holiday Safety Tips

Trees

  • Only artificial trees are permitted for decorative use in all University Buildings.
  • When purchasing holiday decorations including artificial trees, look for the "Fire Resistant" Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label.
  • If you have a metallic tree, never use electric lights on it. A short circuit could cause you to be electrocuted.
  • For off campus residents, when purchasing a live tree for holiday use check for freshness. Make sure the needles are soft and don't fall off.
  • Live trees need water, and lots of it. Cut about one inch off the bottom of the trunk before putting the tree in the stand. Add water and check the tree daily. Dry trees can catch fire and burn in seconds.
  • Remove live trees from your home as soon as possible. Most Christmas tree fires occur on or after New Year's Day.
  • Do not position any tree where it may block an exit to the residence or access to fire protection equipment.

Lights

  • Check each light set for damaged sockets or wires. Discard light sets and extension cords that are worn or cracked.
  • Use UL approved light sets. Follow the manufacturer recommendations concerning the maximum number of light sets that can be connected together.
  • Replace burnt out bulbs with bulbs of the same wattage as indicated on the tag attached to the light set.
  • Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the residence.
  • Use only light sets and extension cords marked "For Outdoor Use" outside your residence.
  • Fasten outdoor lights securely with insulated clips or hooks. Use circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

General Safety Tips

Cooking

  • Almost 44% of all residential fires are cause by careless cooking making it the #1 cause of fire in a residential setting.
  • Do not leave cooking food unattended. If you must leave, turn off all cooking appliances.
  • Keep any combustible materials such as towels, potholders, papers, etc., away from any heat source. Don't wear loose fitting clothing while cooking.
  • Do not attempt to move a pan of grease that is on fire. Put a lid on the pan to smother the fire, then turn off the heat, or use an ABC-rated fire extinguisher. Alert your family or roommates so they can evacuate safely.
  • Be sure to turn pot handles towards the back of the stove.
  • Keep pets off cooking surfaces and countertops to prevent them from knocking things onto the burner.

Fireplaces and Heaters

  • Before starting a fire in the fireplace, remove all decorations (including stockings hung by the fireplace) and be sure the flue is open.
  • Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. They can burn extremely fast, throwing off sparks and can ignite creosote that has previously accumulated in the chimney.
  • Always use a screen in front of the fireplace. Also consider using a fire-resistant carpet or mat (made for fireplaces) on the floor in front of the fireplace.
  • Never discard hot ashes inside or near the residence. Place them in a metal container outside and well away from the residence.
  • Keep all combustible materials, including wrapping paper at least 3 feet away from any heater - space heaters need space.
  • When plugging in electric heaters, make sure that the outlet was designed to handle the load. Be safe. Do not plug anything else into the socket with the heater. Please refer to the Portable Space Heater Policy for more information regarding campus regulations for the use of space heaters.
  • When using kerosene heaters, make sure you use the correct fuel, only. The wrong fuel may cause a fire or explosion. Only fill to 90 percent. Kerosene will expand once indoors. Always refuel the heater outside after it cools.
  • Never use a range or an oven as a supplemental heating device. Not only is it a safety hazard, it can be a source of potentially toxic fumes.

Smoking

Smoking-related fires are also a concern. Provide plenty of large, deep ashtrays and check them frequently. Cigarette butts can smolder in the trash and cause a fire, so completely douse any smoking material with water before discarding. Smoking is prohibited inside on-campus housing.

  • After a party, always check on, between and under upholstery and cushions and inside trashcans for smoking materials that may be smoldering.
  • Keep matches and lighters up high, out of sight and out of reach from children - preferably in a locked cabinet. If your child sees you lighting candles or starting the fireplace, they may think it's OK for them to do it. Teach your kids about fire safety. Matches and lighters are "tools" for adults, not "toys" for children.

Other Winter Fire Safety Tips

  • Never try to thaw frozen water pipes with a blow torch or other open flame device. The pipe could conduct the heat and ignite the wall or floor that it passes through.
  • Contact your local fire department for additional fire safety information or for help to conduct a winter fire safety check of your home.

Following Your Escape Plan

Remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL your local emergency phone number. For on campus emergencies contact Public Safety at 610-436-3311. For off campus emergencies dial 911.
  • If closed doors or handles are warm, use your second way out. Never open doors that are warm to the touch.
  • Crawl low under smoke.
  • Go to your outside meeting place and then call for help.

If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the doors closed. Place a wet towel under the door and call your emergency numbers. Open a window and wave a brightly colored cloth or flashlight to signal for help.

Fire Protection Equipment

Smoke Detectors

An estimated 375,000 fires are reported each year in the place we feel safest, our homes. One of the best ways to protect yourself and those you live with from a residential fire is by having working smoke detectors. By providing early warning of fire, smoke detectors can double your chances of escaping a fire safely. Fire data shows that over the past three years, on average nearly 75% of the people who died each year in residential fires did not have a working smoke detector in their home. Follow these tips to keep you, those you live with and your belongings safe from fire:
  • Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors twice a year. When you change your clocks for Daylight Savings, change your batteries.
  • Install smoke detectors on each level of your home and sleeping areas. Sleep with your bedroom door closed.
  • Develop an escape plan with your family - at least twice a year. Include a nighttime drill.
  • Make sure overnight guests also know your fire escape plan.
  • Install a carbon monoxide detector if you have any appliance or device that has a flame - stove, water heater, furnace, fireplace, space heater, etc.

Smoke detectors are provided in all on-campus residential rooms and they are monitored 24 hours by Public Safety.

For off campus residences test smoke detectors at least once a month to ensure that they are working properly. Vacuum the dust from inside the detector at least once a year. Batteries in battery-operated detectors should be changed twice a year or whenever a detector "chirps" to signal low battery power. Never "borrow" a smoke detector's battery for another item's use. A disabled detector cannot save your life. Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years, or according to the manufacturer's specifications.

Develop an escape plan with two ways out from each room in the residence. Practice your fire escape plan with the family or roommates to ensure that everyone knows what to do if there is a fire and the smoke detectors sound. Monthly fire evacuation drills are conducted in all on-campus housing and evacuation routes are posted in the hallways of the building.

Fire Extinguishers

A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires, often in emergency situations. It is not intended for use on an out-of-control fire, such as one which has reached the ceiling or endangers the user (i.e., no escape route, excessive smoke, explosion hazard, etc.), or requires the expertise of the fire department. Use a portable fire extinguisher only if you've been trained and in the following conditions:
  • The fire is confined to a small area and is not growing.
  • The room is not filled with smoke.
  • Everyone has exited the building.
  • The fire department has been called.
  • Remember the word PASS when using a fire extinguisher:
    • Pull the pin and hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you.
    • Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
    • Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
    • Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

house on fire