College Dorm Safety Tips 

From CL&P

The National Fire Protection Association estimates that about 3,300 fires occur every year in school, college, and university dormitories, and fraternity and sorority houses. Older wiring, ill-suited to handle the electrical load from laptops, refrigerators, microwaves, TVs, audio equipment, and other appliances students use may be part of the problem.

With millions of students enrolling full-time on college and university campuses this fall, The Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) is offering tips to help keep students safe:

*Replace halogen lamps with a floor lamp that uses fluorescent bulbs. They run much cooler and use only a quarter of the energy.

*Always use proper wattage lightbulbs. High wattage bulbs can cause the lamp insulation to overheat. If there is no wattage indication on the lamp, then use no more than a 60 watt bulb.

*Never drape towels, clothing, or any item other than an approved lampshade over lightbulbs, 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.

*Exercise special care with hotplates and other appliances that heat, such as popcorn makers, irons, and hair dryers. They use more electricity and are more likely to overload than things that don’t heat.

*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.

Overloaded circuits are among the leading causes of campus fires.

*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 can electrocute you.

*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 skin, and can ignite notebooks and loose papers it may come in contact with. Look for appliances with automatic shutoff features so they are not accidentally left on all day.

*Turn off lights, the computer, and the audio equipment when leaving a room to save energy, the environment, and money.

*Keep curtains and linens away from hot surfaces and open flames, such as candles.

*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 www.cl-p.com, the US 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.