CL&P Offers Dorm Safety Tips

Looking forward to getting your groove back when you return to college in the next couple of weeks?

Just make sure when you’re working your late-night macaroni-and-cheese magic that you're practicing the principles of safe cooking, since 75 percent of fires in dormitories, fraternities and sororities involve cooking equipment, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Further, out of the more than 6,000 structure fires on educational properties each year, fires in dorms are most likely to happen between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. and on weekends, prime Ramen-reheating times.

And cooking’s not the only hazard in the modern dorm room.

"The dormitories are literally 'homes away from home' with refrigerators, microwaves, TVs, computers, audio equipment and other appliances along with the bed and desk," said Sean Martin, safety manager at Connecticut Light & Power.  "The problem is that in many cases these buildings may have older wiring which wasn't designed to handle what students have in their rooms today. Students need to comply with their school rules." 

CL&P offers these safety tips for college students to keep in mind as they head back to school this fall:

• Use only one appliance per electrical outlet.  If an appliance cord or the outlet feels hot, the appliance should be disconnected immediately.  Students should report any outlet that is damaged or no longer grips plugs properly to their campus housing staff immediately.
• 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.  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.
• 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 lamp shade 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.
• 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.  
• Keep all electrical cords away from water in a sink or tub.  Even an appliance that is plugged in but not turned on can be hazardous, and if it falls into a tub or a sink it 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.
• Take all on-campus fire alarms and drills seriously.  Memorize the number of doors to the two nearest exits in your dormitory.  Bring along a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector if these devices are not available.

For more electrical safety tips, visit these websites:

Connecticut Light & Power

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Electrical Safety Foundation

National Fire Protection Association