BERLIN, Connecticut – August 26, 2009 - According to the latest statistics from The National Fire Protection Association, fire departments in the U.S. respond to an average of 3,570 fires every year in school, college and university dormitories, and fraternity and sorority houses. Cooking equipment is involved in 75 percent of those fires, which are most common during the evening hours between 5 and 11 p.m., as well as on weekends.
"Often these buildings have older wiring which wasn't designed to handle what students have in their rooms today," said Bruce Bolger, director, Safety, Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P). "The laptops, refrigerators, microwaves, TVs, audio equipment and other appliances students use can add to the problem."
With students now returning to school, college and university campuses, CL&P offers these tips to help keep them safe:
- Replace that halogen lamp with a floor lamp that uses compact fluorescent bulbs. They run much cooler and use only a quarter of the energy. Never drape towels, clothing or any item other than an approved lampshade over light bulbs – otherwise, they could ignite.
- If you use an electric blanket, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure you turn it off and unplug it when not in use. Never tuck in an electrical blanket.
- Do not use extension cords for long-term situations or overload extension cords, power strips or outlets. Doing so may cause them to overheat and deteriorate quickly, which could result in a potential shock and/or fire hazard.
- Use only one appliance per outlet. If an appliance cord or the outlet feels hot, the appliance should be disconnected immediately. Students should report any outlets that are damaged or that no longer grip plugs properly to their campus housing staff immediately.
- Keep all electrical cords away from water in a sink or tub. Even an appliance that is not turned on but plugged in can be hazardous, and if it falls into a tub or sink may cause electrocution.
- Never bend, file or cut a grounding pin from a three-pronged plug. This disarms the protection meant to keep you safe and presents a tremendous shock hazard. Inspect all appliances and electronics for frayed cords, broken plugs or other damage. If damaged, stop using it immediately and repair or replace it.
- Keep things away from appliances that get hot. A toaster oven can get hot enough to burn you and can ignite notebooks and loose papers it may come in contact with. Look for appliances with automatic shutoff features so they aren’t accidentally left on all day. Turn off lights, the computer and the audio equipment when leaving a room.
- Take all on-campus fire alarms and drills seriously. Memorize the number of doors to the two nearest exits in your dormitory. Make sure you know evacuation procedures and escape plans. Bring along a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector if these devices are not available.
To learn more about electrical safety, visit our Web site at www.cl-p.com, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov, Electrical Safety Foundation International at www.esfi.org or The National Fire Protection Association at www.nfpa.org.
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The Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) has been part of everyday life in Connecticut for more than 100 years, providing safe and reliable electric service to homes, neighborhoods and businesses. With 1.2 million customers in 149 cities and towns, CL&P is an active member in the communities it serves, offering programs in energy conservation, economic development and environmental stewardship. CL&P is part of the Northeast Utilities System (NYSE: NU). For more information, please visit www.cl-p.com.