Continued:

As part of evaluating a college for future attendance, attention should be given to the presence of smoke alarms, sprinkler systems and other fire safety precautions.  You should ask:

o       How many fires have occurred on campus in the past year, two years?

o       Are residence halls equipped with an automatic sprinkler system?  If no, why not?

o       Does every student’s room have a smoke alarm?

o       How many false alarms have there been?

o       What is the reaction of students when the fire alarm is activated?

o       Are smoking, candles, halogen lamps, cooking devices prohibited in the residence halls?

o       How much training does the residence hall staff receive?

o       Does the school provide fire extinguisher training for the students?

o       How often are evacuation drills conducted?  Are they taken seriously?

In addition to the college’s administration, you could also present these questions to the local fire department. 

Take a tour of the dorms and look around.  Do you see any appliances that could start a fire?  Do you see any other items that could start a fire?  The areas should be relatively clean, with minimal clutter that could fuel a fire.  If you were told that there are smoke alarms, fire alarms and fire sprinkler systems, do you see them?  Do you see any electrical or other fire hazards? 

Fire safety is something that everyone needs to be aware of 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Do not wait until it is too late, practice fire safety every day!  If you have any questions or comments about this article, or any other fire safety subject, please feel free to call the Fire Company at 215-646-2555 (Option #6) or stop into either fire station any Monday night.  The Fire Prevention Committee is available to present programs upon request. Visit the Fort Washington Fire Company on the Internet at www.fortwashingtonfc.org.