Oct. 6-12 marks Fire Prevention Week across Canada, and Niagara College’s Campus Safety department is reminding faculty, staff and students to practice fire safety, both on campus and at home.
The theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week is “Plan and Practice Your Escape.” If there is a fire in your home or building, you may have as little as two minutes to escape safely. Escape planning and practice can help you make the most of the time you have, giving everyone enough time to get out. More information and resources are available from Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management
Fire alarms on campus:
- If you detect fire or smoke, leave the area immediately. When safe to do so, activate the fire alarm and call 911.
- When the fire alarm sounds, immediately take action. Evacuate the building using the safest and closest route and move away from the building. Do not block doorways or fire lanes.
- Stay in a safe location until the all-clear is given.
- Students requiring assistance to safely evacuate are encouraged to work with Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services to create a personal safety plan.
- Staff requiring assistance to safely evacuate are encouraged to work with Human Resources to create a personal safety plan
Fire prevention at home:
- Ensure that there are working smoke alarms in homes and dorms. Smoke alarms should be installed on every floor and outside all sleeping areas. Test smoke alarms monthly by pushing the test button, and change the batteries at least once a year.
- Landlords are responsible for ensuring that there are working smoke alarms in off-campus housing. If working smoke alarms are not present, students should speak to their landlords.
- Never leave cooking unattended. Make sure that cigarette butts are fully extinguished and never leave candles unattended
- Know the fire evacuation routes of the building you are in, ensuring you have two routes out of every room
The importance of fire safety was driven home during the Fall 2019 Orientation Week, when students had a chance to witness how quickly a fire could spread in a typical student dorm room:
For more information on fire safety and emergency preparedness, visit NC’s Campus Safety website at www.niagaracollege.ca/campus-safety/, or download the NC Mobile Safety app for free on iOS or Android.
