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Fire Safety

As a tenant, you share responsibility for fire safety in your apartment with your landlord. Check the fire safety equipment in your building and report deficiencies. Develop a plan of action. If you have a plan you may be more likely to remain calm during an emergency and less likely to be injured if a fire does occur.

Emergency Evacuation Procedures

  1. Remain Calm. It may save your life.
  2. If you see smoke or flames, activate the nearest fire alarm pull station (if provided) and evacuate the building.
  3. When you hear the fire alarm, wake others in your room.
  4. Check the doorknob to see if it is hot.
    • If the doorknob is hot, do not open it.
    • Stay in your room and call 911, and stay by the window for help.
    • Do your best to seal the door to keep smoke out, preferably with wet towels or tape.
    • If the door is cool, open it slowly and check the hallway for smoke.
    • If the hallway is clear, exit the building and close doors behind you.
    • If the hallway is full of smoke, stay low to the ground and go to the nearest exit, OR;
    • Stay in your room and call 911 to report your exact location.
  5. When a building fire alarm sounds, you must evacuate the building and go to a pre-designated evacuation location. Discuss this location with others in your building.
  6. Never use an elevator during a fire alarm.
  7. Once outside, call 911 and provide any relevant information to the fire department. If you are near campus you can also call Brown Public Safety at 401-863-4111 for additional assistance.

For Emergency Action Plan Training, or to discuss fire safety issues, call the Fire Safety Officer at 41-863-3462 or email fire_safety@brown.edu.

Fire Prevention in Off-Campus Housing

Fires in off-campus housing are usually preventable. Be aware of your surroundings and take action to eliminate the most common causes of fires. Be especially careful while cooking. Alcohol use is often associated with the actions of people prior to fatal fires in off-campus housing.

  1. Make sure there are working smoke detectors on every level and in all bedrooms.
  2. Test smoke detectors at least monthly to be sure they operate and change batteries as needed.
  3. Be familiar with at least two ways out of your building and make sure they are clear.
  4. Halogen lamps generate extreme temperatures and are not recommended. Use extreme caution with candles, toasters, grills, hot plates, incense, or space heaters.
  5. Never leave food unattended while cooking.
  6. A carbon monoxide detector should be located in the apartment if there is any fuel burning equipment in the apartment. This includes gas stoves or fireplaces.
  7. Use an ashtray for smoking materials. Never empty hot ashes into the trash. Let ashes cool overnight before discarding them or discard into water to ensure that they are completely out.
  8. Never block hallways or stairs with bicycles, boxes, furniture, trash or other items. In the event of an emergency the corridors and stairwells are your lifeline to safety and the outdoors.
  9. Avoid overloading electrical outlets. Use only UL listed, 15-amp power strips with a circuit breaker. Appliances such as refrigerators and microwaves should be plugged directly into the wall outlet.
  10. Never leave appliances such as hair dryers or irons on unattended.
  11. Don't use internal combustion engines indoors since they generate carbon monoxide.
  12. Flammable fuels like propane or gasoline should never be stored indoors.
  13. Make sure there are fire extinguishers in kitchens and other areas and know how to use them.
  14. Have flashlights available for power outages or other emergencies instead of candles.

Visit the Environmental Health and Safety web site for more information on Emergency Preparedness, the University’s Event Safety Program and other topics at http://brown.edu/Administration/EHS/emergency_preparedness/