Full Text
KALISPELL FIRE DEPARTMENT Dave Dedman – Fire Chief Jon Campbell – Assistant Fire Chief Cec Lee – Executive Secretary PO Box 1997 312 First Avenue East Kalispell, Montana 59901 Phone: (406) 758-7760 FAX: (406) 758-7777 “Protecting our community with the highest level of professionalism.” COLLEGE CAMPUS SAFETY College students living away from home should take a few minutes to make sure they are living in a fire-safe environment. Educating students on what they can do to stay safe during the school year is important and often overlooked. FACTS Fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities, and barracks are more common during the evening hours, between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m., as well as on weekends. In 2003–2006 U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 3,570 structure fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities, and barracks. TIPS Look for fully sprinklered housing when choosing a dorm or off-campus housing. Make sure your dormitory or apartment has smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside every sleeping area and on each level. For the best protection, all smoke alarms should be interconnected so that when one sounds they all sound. Test all smoke alarms at least Never remove batteries or disable the alarm. Learn your building’s evacuation plan and practice all drills as if they were the real thing. If you live off campus, have a fire escape plan with two ways out of every room. When the smoke alarm or fire alarm sounds, get out of the building quickly and stay out. During a power outage, use a flashlight. Cook only where it is permitted. Stay in the kitchen when cooking. Cook only when you are alert, not sleepy or drowsy from medicine or alcohol. Check with your local fire department for any restrictions before using a barbeque grill, fire pit, or chimenea. Check your school’s rules before using electrical appliances in your room. Use a surge protector for your computer and plug the protector directly into an outlet.