Skip to main content

Campus Fire Safety

Aerial view of Lemoyne College campus with buildings, sports fields, roads, parking, and surrounding greenery.

Protecting students on and off campus

Whether you’re living in a dorm, an apartment, or a shared house, fire safety should be part of your daily routine. The truth is, fires can happen anywhere — but students are especially vulnerable when safety is overlooked. Late nights, busy schedules, and shared spaces create a higher risk for accidents that can turn deadly in minutes.

Why This Matters

Many fatal campus-related fires happen away from school property, in places where safety measures like sprinklers and working alarms are missing. Add in late-night activities, distractions, and unsafe habits, and the danger grows. The tragedy is that nearly all of these fires could have been prevented with a few simple precautions.

Make These Safety Habits Non-Negotiable

Alarms & Exits

• Keep smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in place, with fresh batteries, and never disable them.

• Keep stairs and hallways clear so everyone can escape quickly in an emergency.

Cooking

• Only cook in approved areas — never in bedrooms or study spaces.

• Keep cooking surfaces free from anything that can burn.

• Stay in the kitchen when using the stove, especially at high heat.

• If a microwave fire starts, keep the door shut and unplug it.

Electrical Safety

• Keep lamps and bulbs away from flammable materials.

• Avoid using extension cords for large appliances.

• Don’t overload outlets — use surge protectors with built-in safety shutoff.

Smoking

• Always fully extinguish cigarettes and ashes.

• Never throw hot butts or ashes in the trash.

• Use sturdy, deep ashtrays placed on non-flammable surfaces.

• Don’t smoke if you’ve been drinking or are tired.

• After guests leave, check for hidden cigarette butts — furniture can ignite quickly.

The Bottom Line

Fires don’t give warnings. A few seconds of caution can mean the difference between life and death. Whether you’re a student or a parent, make fire safety part of your everyday thinking — and don’t let preventable mistakes become permanent tragedies.

A campus fire safety poster with an escape plan, tips, and logos for U.S. Fire Administration and FEMA.
An open microwave with cooking safety tips on a brick wall, promoting campus fire safety.
A fire safety poster with a lit candle and message: 'Put out candles before you go to sleep.' Logos of DHS, FEMA, and fire prevention at the bottom.
An awareness poster about campus fire safety stating arson as a major fire cause, urging reporting of suspicious fires, featuring handcuffs and a match.
Red cup on brick wall background with "Campus Fire Safety" message and fire safety tips regarding parties and smoking.
A campus fire safety poster with an escape plan, tips, and logos for U.S. Fire Administration and FEMA.
An open microwave with cooking safety tips on a brick wall, promoting campus fire safety.
A fire safety poster with a lit candle and message: 'Put out candles before you go to sleep.' Logos of DHS, FEMA, and fire prevention at the bottom.
An awareness poster about campus fire safety stating arson as a major fire cause, urging reporting of suspicious fires, featuring handcuffs and a match.
Red cup on brick wall background with "Campus Fire Safety" message and fire safety tips regarding parties and smoking.

Source for Content: National Fire Protection Association and U.S. Fire Administration