Every year college and university students experience a growing number of fire-related emergencies. To help bring attention to this serious concern, September has been designated Campus Fire Safety Month.

Fire safety education is an effective method of reducing the occurrence of fires, loss of life and destruction of property. Stony Brook University Fire Marshals from Environmental Health & Safety planned the following events and activities with the Division of Campus Residences. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend and participate in fire safety program activities throughout the year.

Fire Safety Tips to Prevent Fires:

• Never leave stoves unattended while cooking.
• Outlets should never be overloaded with multiple plugs.
• Do not use extension cords.
• Only use multi-outlet surge protectors with a self-contained circuit breaker.
• Never cover light bulbs with paper or clothing.
• Candles are not permitted in dormitories because of the fire hazard.
• Touchier halogen lamps are strictly forbidden.
• Do not accumulate paper, debris and other combustibles.
• Smoke only in approved locations (20 feet away from buildings, outdoors).

Residence Hall Fire Safety
While the University takes precaution to ensure your safety from fire, there are things you can do to protect yourself in the event of a fire in your dorm room.

Remember these simple Do's and Don'ts:
If you are awakened by the sound of a fire alarm:

• Don't sit up!
• Stay low (even whilst getting out of bed).
• Crawl to the door.
• Feel the door to see if it is hot.
• If the door is not hot, kneel against the door and open it slightly.
• Check the hall for smoke and flames.
• If no smoke or flames, crawl along the floor of the corridor to the fire exit, staying low and using doorways as the guide.
• Leave the building and do not re-enter until an authorized person signals it is safe to do so.

If You Cannot Escape
Close all doors between you and the fire. Stuff cloth in the cracks of the doors to keep the smoke out. Call University Police at (631) 632-3333 or 911 to notify them of your location. While waiting for rescuers, signal from a window by hanging clothes out the window, waving an object or shouting.

Tampering with Safety Equipment
A Note About False Alarms - Be aware that tampering with fire alarm equipment or activating a false alarm is a violation of the Student Conduct Code. It is also a crime under NYS Penal Law and can result in arrest and/or expulsion from school.

The University treats this very seriously.