Fire safety may not be first and foremost in the minds of college students. There’s studying to do, along with new people to meet and activities to enjoy. Nevertheless, some basic attention to safety can prevent tragedy.

When it comes to on- and off-campus housing, it’s important for students and parents to keep fire safety top of mind, the National Fire Protection Association reminds parents and students.

Agreeing is Inspector Nichole Hamilton of the Canton Fire Department. “I would ask them to get a fire extinguisher,” and know how to use it, she said.

Hamilton also encourages students to get a carbon monoxide detector and smoke detector. She agreed electrical outlets shouldn’t be used incorrectly or excessively, noting, “It can overload and catch fire.”

Campus fire safety by the numbers

In 2009-13, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 3,870 structure fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities, and barracks.

In 2009-13, 86 percent of the reported structure fires involved cooking equipment. Eighty-three percent of fires were specifically reported as contained or confined to cooking equipment.

From 2000-15, 89 fires that killed 126 people have occurred on a college campus, in Greek housing or in off-campus housing within three miles of the campus.

Of these:

•76 off-campus fires caused 107 deaths

•Seven on-campus building or residence hall fires claimed nine victims

•Six fires in Greek housing took the lives of 10 people

Sources are: NFPA’s “Structure Fires in Dormitories, Fraternities, Sororities and Barracks” report and The Center for Campus Fire Safety.

Partnerships and campaigns

Canton’s Hamilton said of college students cooking, “I would definitely make sure they pay attention when they’re cooking and don’t walk away from it.”

She’s mom to an 11-year-old daughter. “I will be checking out her building before she goes to any dorm,” said Hamilton, whose daughter will also do college fire drills.

Hamilton also encourages those in off-campus housing to replace smoke detectors over 10 years old and no longer operational.

NFPA and The Center for Campus Fire Safety are teaming up to promote on- and off-campus fire safety for students. The fall campaign, which launches Sept. 1 in honor of Campus Fire Safety Month, asks students: What kind of cook are you in the kitchen? Through an interactive quiz, students will have the opportunity to recognize unsafe practices and learn the appropriate way to cook meals that will reduce the risk for injuries and damage caused by fire. (Stay tuned for more details.)

The “See It Before You Sign It,” campaign encourages parents to take a more active role in helping their loved ones choose secure, fire-safe housing in apartments or houses that are not on campus. With a off-campus housing fire safety checklist, parents and students can make better informed decisions. NFPA is partnering with Campus Firewatch, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the U.S. Fire Administration for this campaign.

The Center for Campus Fire Safety at www.campusfiresafety.org offers extensive information, including questions for schools and landlords, kitchen fire safety information, a student checklist, and knowing what to do in a fire. YouTube videos are online there from The University of New Haven Fire Science Club Students. Videos were produced “by Students for Students” to be posted in social media and shared on websites.

Student to student tips shared include: When the Alarm Sounds, Get Out!; keep exits clear; be choosy where you live; and respect your smoke detector.

The Center for Campus Fire Safety Student Committee and the National Fire Protection Association are among the partners in the “Stay Safe & Graduate” initiative.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has also created an infographic for this campaign for you to use on your website, blogs and social media sites.

Canton Fire Inspector Nichole Hamilton urges college students to heed fire safety precautions. “I would ask them to get a fire extinguisher,” and know how to use it, she said.(Photo: Julie Brown)