Campus Fire Safety Month

Electricity helps make our lives easier and plays a significant role in most of our daily activities. It is very important to keep safety in mind and be cautious when using electricity at home and work. Developing proper electrical safety habits can prevent or greatly reduce the chance of an electrical fire occurring on the K-State campus.

In a 2023 report by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), United States fire departments responded to approximately 3400 structure fires each year involved campus housing. In 20 percent of these fires, the leading cause involved some type of electrical distribution, lighting, and power transfer equipment.

Here is a list of some of the common contributing factors that can lead to an electrical fire and ways to avoid them:

• Overloading outlets or power strips. Overloaded outlets and circuits can generate undetectable amounts of heat that can cause wear to the internal wiring system over time and potentially ignite a fire. Do not overload outlets or power strips with too many devices or appliances that require a high amount of electricity.
• Loose-fitting plugs. Plugs that are not snug against the outlet can cause arcing or a spark of electricity. As a result, this can easily ignite nearby flammable materials that could start a fire. Insert plugs fully into sockets.
• Faulty wiring. Damaged or poorly maintained wiring can overheat and create a fire. Inspect electrical cords regularly for damage.
• Allowing devices to overheat. Any electrical device that is plugged in too long can potentially overheat and begin a fire. Check devices often to ensure they are not overheating.

The most common electrical tool found in offices, labs, and dorm rooms across campus are extension cords and power strips. They conveniently provide power to electrical devices away from outlets, but incorrect use such as overloading them with too many devices and poor maintenance can create a fire hazard. Kansas State University Fire & Life Safety team offers these electrical safety tips for using extension cords and power strips:

• Only use extension cords and power strips listed by a nationally recognized testing lab (e.g. UL Listed).
• Never “daisy-chain” or plug an extension cord or power strip into one another. Plug extension cords and power strips directly into a properly installed wall outlet.
• Never use extension cords or power strips that show signs of damage or overheating.
• Never plug major appliances (refrigerators, microwave ovens, etc.) or heat-producing appliances (space heater, coffee maker, air fryer, etc.) into an extension cord or power strip. These appliances must be plugged directly into a wall outlet.
• Never substitute extension cords for permanent wiring.
• Avoid running cords under a carpet or rug where they can be damaged or pinched.

Following these simple safety tips helps ensure the students, staff, and faculty of the K-State community are safe at work and safe at home.

Resources:

NFPA Electrical Safety at Home

A growing concern on college campuses across the country is the increasing number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. The Center for Campus Fire Safety (CCFS) created a reporting program to track the data of fires involving lithium-ion batteries on college campuses. This effort is to assist fire safety professionals to create educational programs and policies/procedures to enhance safety practices regarding lithium-ion batteries.

The most recent data reported by CCFS was collected between December 2023 and August 9, 2024. During this short period, there were 16 fires involving lithium-ion batteries on college campuses. Some important stats from the report are:

• 93% of the fires occurred inside a building.
• 56% of the devices were charging.
• 100% of the fires inside a building were protected by a sprinkler system and 62.5% of these incidents reported that the sprinklers were activated but did not control the fire.
• Devices involved in lithium-ion battery fires:
  • Scooter 30%
  • E-Bike 20%
  • Skateboard 40%
  • Other 10% (iPad, drone, percussion massage gun, video camera, specialized titanium cased battery pack)

Kansas State University Fire & Life Safety team and the Manhattan Fire Department recommend following these safety tips to prevent fires caused by lithium-ion batteries:

• Only use manufacturer-provided batteries. All authorized batteries and charging equipment should be tested and certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions!
• Charge device safely. Only use charging equipment that came with the product and remove the battery from the charging device once it is fully charged to avoid overheating. Charge larger devices (such as eBikes) away from exit paths and outside the home or building. Do not charge larger devices overnight.
• Keep batteries at room temperature. Do not charge batteries when temperatures are below 32⁰F or above 105⁰ Avoid storing batteries in direct sunlight or in vehicles.
• Keep batteries safely. Do not store batteries near heat sources or anything that can catch on fire.
• Know the warning signs. Stop using the battery if you smell a strange odor, the battery changes colors or shape, hear hissing or popping sounds, or the battery generates excessive heat. There is an immediate danger of fire if you see gray or white wispy smoke from the battery.
• Dispose batteries properly. Never discard lithium-ion batteries in the trash. Recycle used or damage batteries at a recycling center or contact K-State EHS.

Resources:

NFPA Lithium-ion Battery Safety

According to a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) report, each year U.S. fire departments respond to over 3,300 structure fires in dormitory, fraternity, and sorority housing on university campuses. The result of these fires has been multiple civilian injuries and millions of dollars of property damage. Approximately three out of four of these fires began in the kitchen or cooking area and nearly 90 percent of the kitchen fires involved cooking equipment.

Lorraine Carlie, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA and The Center for Campus Fire Safety (CCFS), said, “As students return to campus this fall, many of them will be preparing their own meals, some using kitchen appliances for the first time or cooking food after coming home late from studying or a party. The numbers tell us that more education is needed around when and where cooking hazards exist, along with ways to prevent them. Campus Fire Safety Month is a great opportunity to better educate students about where fire hazards exist and simple but critical ways to prevent them.”

Unattended cooking is a leading cause of fire alarms and home fires across the country, but with a few preventive measures and awareness, we can significantly reduce the risk of cooking-related fires. Kansas State University Fire & Life Safety team and the Manhattan Fire Department recommend these tips for cooking safely:

• Stay in the kitchen. When using the stovetop or oven, never leave your cooking unattended. Check your food regularly while cooking and use a timer to remind you that something is cooking. Turn off the burner or oven if you need to leave the room.
• Cook only when alert. Do not use the stovetop or oven when you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol. Alcohol impairs judgment and slows reaction times. Also, avoid cooking when you have taken medication that makes you drowsy. Order takeout instead.
• Keep flammable items away. Dish towels, potholders, wooden utensils, etc. can easily catch on fire. Keep these items away from your stovetop and maintain a clean cooking space.
• Be cautious with grease. Keep a lid nearby when cooking with oil. Should the oil ignite, cover the pan with the lid and turn off the burner. Never throw water onto a grease fire!
• Keep door closed for oven and microwave fires. If a fire starts in the oven or microwave, leave the door closed and turn off the heat to the oven or unplug the microwave if possible. Have the oven or microwave checked or serviced before using again.

If you have a cooking fire, know what to do:

• Get out and stay out! Close doors behind you when leaving and pull the fire alarm if available. If you have to escape through smoke, get low and stay low on your way out.
• Call 9-1-1 once you are out of the building. Never call 9-1-1 inside a burning building.
• Know your escape route. Identify two ways out and keep escape routes clear of clutter. Ensure all windows and doors open easily.
• Have an outside meeting place. Choose a safe distance from the building where everyone should meet like a tree, mailbox, light pole, etc.

Resources:

Fire Safety Research Institute – Cook with Care

NFPA – Cooking Safety

September is Campus Fire Safety Month. Kansas State University Fire & Life Safety team and the Manhattan Fire Department want to help raise awareness about the threat of fires in both on- and off-campus housing. We encourage students to take action and make their living spaces safe as possible from fires and other associated hazards.

According to the data collected by The Center for Campus Fire Safety (CCFS), there were 94 fatal fires that occurred between 2000 and 2023 which claimed 134 student lives with 114 deaths occurring off-campus. These documented fires occurred in both on- and off-campus housing within 3-miles of the campus.

In a report by the U.S. Fire Administration, some common factors in campus fire fatalities between 2000 and 2015 are:

• Alcohol played a factor in 76% of the fatal campus fires. Students under the influence of alcohol are more likely to engage in riskier behavior contributing to fires. Alcohol also impacts the student’s ability to respond to life safety equipment like smoke alarms.
• Smoke alarms were either missing or tampered with (battery removed or disconnected) in 58% of the fatal fires.
• Fire sprinklers were not present in 100% of the fatal fires between 2000 and 2015.
• Smoking was the leading cause in 29% of fatal campus fires. In approximately half of the fatal fires determined to be caused by smoking, cigarettes smoldered in a couch over time with a third of the couches located outside on either a porch or deck.
• A fatal campus fire is most likely to happen over the weekend (71% of the time) and almost three-quarters of the fatal fires occurred between midnight and 6 a.m.

In August 2024, the NFPA reported that between 2018 and 2022 the average annual call volume by U.S. fire departments to structure fires involving campus dormitories and Greek housing was estimated to be 3,331. The impact of these fires resulted in an annual average of $21 million in property damage, 23 civilian injuries, and 21 civilian deaths.

During this five year period between 2018 and 2022, September, and October have recorded the highest monthly average for fires in dormitory-type properties. This could be that many students are living on their own for the first time. The goal of Campus Fire Safety Month is to educate students on the importance of fire safety and reduce the risk of fires, damage to property, and most importantly the injuries or deaths associated with on- and off-campus fires.

Additional statistic from the NFPA report include:

• Three out of four fires began in the kitchen or cooking area. Cooking equipment was involved over 80% of the time. Unattended equipment was the most common contributing factor to the ignition of fires starting in the kitchen.
• Saturday and Sunday were the peak days for campus fires. Also, 50% of the total fires calls occurred between the hours of 4 p.m. and midnight.
• 88% of the fires were classified as confined fires that did not extend beyond the object of origin.

Kansas State University Fire & Life Safety team and the Manhattan Fire Department want to ensure that every student has the safest college experience possible. During the month of September, look for future PSAs posted in K-State Today about important fire safety tips.

For more information about campus fire safety at Kansas State University visit https://www.k-state.edu/safety/programs/fire/ or contact the Manhattan Fire Department at 785-587-4504.

Resources:

College Life & Fire Safety: The Mara Gibbs Story

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Manhattan Fire Department

Kansas State Fire Marshal