Did you know?
Before heading off to college or university, students are encouraged to prepare for unforeseen situations by assembling a safety kit that includes the following essential items:
- Extra batteries: Stock up on various sizes for all essential electronics and devices.
- CSA or ULC certified power bar: Prioritize electrical safety with a certified surge-protected power bar, which also includes a circuit breaker.
- Working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms: Essential life-saving devices to ensure immediate alerts in living spaces.
- Battery-powered lantern or flashlight: Crucial for safe navigation during unexpected power outages.
- Battery-powered radio: A reliable way to stay informed via emergency broadcasts if cellular service or Wi-Fi goes down.
- First-aid kit: Stocked and ready to handle minor injuries, cuts, and everyday medical emergencies.
Campus and off-campus life: A message to students
When diving into the excitement of academic life, it is easy to get swept up in classes, socializing, and the general hustle and bustle of campus or off-campus living. Amidst the busy routine, staying mindful of your surroundings and prioritizing your personal safety is essential. Here are some key fire and life safety practices to keep front and center:
Look while you cook: Prevent cooking fires
Did you know cooking is a leading cause of residential fires? To keep your home-away-from-home safe, follow these vital practices in any space with cooking facilities:
- Stay alert: Never leave the stove unattended while cooking. Always remain in the kitchen.
- Clear the area: Keep all combustible items—such as tea towels, paper products, and wooden or plastic utensils—at a safe distance from burners at all times.
- Handles in: Turn pan/pot handles inward.
- Keep time: Use a timer when cooking.
- Be prepared: Keep a matching lid nearby while cooking to quickly smother pan/pot fires, and always turn off the stovetop and do not move the cookware until it is cool.
- Grease fires: Never use water on a grease fire!
Candle with care
The use of candles is popular, especially among young people. To prevent candle fires:
- Keep candles in a location where they can’t be knocked over or come in contact with combustible items.
- Fire safety experts’ preferred choice if you choose to use candles: Use tealights or small votive candles (typically around two inches wide and two inches tall) housed in non-combustible containers. These are significantly safer alternatives to traditional taper candles, which are long, slender, and narrow (usually measuring six to 18 inches high) and pose a higher risk.
- Blow out all candles before leaving a room or going to bed.
- When you GO OUT … BLOW OUT! Blow out all the candles before leaving your residence.
Smoke outside—not inside!
Smoking-related fires can be devastating and life-threatening. Even if you don’t smoke yourself, many students have friends who do. Follow these essential safety steps to prevent accidental fires:
- Take it outside: Always encourage smokers to step outdoors rather than lighting up inside.
- Use proper equipment: Provide large, deep ashtrays that securely catch ashes and butts, preventing them from rolling onto rugs, carpets, or furniture.
- Dispose of waste safely: Let ashes and cigarette butts cool completely. Always empty ashtrays into a metal container—never toss them directly into the garbage can!
Electricity: Use it wisely
Overloaded circuits and “octopus wiring” (too many devices plugged into a single outlet) create serious electrical hazards that are entirely preventable. Protect your home and workspace from electrical fires by following these essential guidelines:
- Plug high-draw appliances directly In: Connect major appliances—such as coffee makers, microwaves and toasters—straight into a wall outlet.
- Avoid permanent extension cords: Never use extension cords as a permanent wiring solution.
- Choose cords wisely: If an extension cord is temporarily necessary, ensure it is the correct gauge (thickness) for the appliance and features a certified CSA or ULC approval mark.
- Use protected power bars: For computers and sensitive electronics, use an approved CSA or ULC power bar equipped with a built-in circuit breaker and surge protector.
- Keep cords exposed: Never run electrical cords under carpets or rugs, as trapped heat and hidden damage can easily spark a fire.
Space heaters: Give them space
Central-Heating-Systems in older accommodations can often be supplemented with space heaters. To prevent heating fires:
- Keep the space heater at least one metre or more away from anything that can burn, such as paper, bedding, furniture, and curtains etc.
- Turn off the space heater before going out or going to bed.
Avoid the dangerous mix
While most student parties are harmless, the consumption of alcohol combined with cooking or smoking is a DANGEROUS MIX! To minimize the risk of fire during or after parties:
- Avoid overcrowding; the more people attending the party, the easier it is to lose control of the situation.
- Encourage guests to smoke outside; consider putting up NO SMOKING signs that direct guests to an outside smoking area.
- Refrain from burning candles during parties; they can easily be knocked over or ignite nearby combustibles, which can go unnoticed.
Carbon monoxide (CO) alarms: Beat the silent killer
Carbon monoxide (CO) is known as the SILENT KILLER because it is an invisible, odourless, tasteless and deadly toxic gas; only a WORKING CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) ALARM can detect it.
If you live in a house, CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) ALARMS must be installed if the home:
- Has a fuel-burning appliance.
- Has a fireplace.
- Has an attached garage.
- Is heated by air from a fuel-burning appliance that is not contained within your home (came in effect on Jan. 1, 2026).
If you live in an apartment or condo unit, CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) ALARMS must be installed if any of the following applies:
- The unit has a fuel-burning appliance or a fireplace.
- The building has a service room, and your unit is located directly above, below or beside the service room.
- The building has a garage, and your unit is located directly above, below or beside the garage
- The unit is heated by air from a fuel-burning appliance that is not contained within your unit, for example, heated air coming from a furnace in a building service room (came in effect on Jan. 1, 2026).
- New changes came to Ontario’s Carbon Monoxide Safety Requirements effective Jan. 1, 2026. To learn more about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from the silent killer … visit: Ontario.ca/CarbonMonoxide.
Remember, taking the time to learn and practice injury prevention costs you nothing. Failing to do so could lead to the unthinkable … the loss of your life and the lives of those you hold dear.
Safety—it starts with you.
