Fire Safety - Inside SBTS

Follow these guidelines to ensure your safety and protect your home, apartment, or residential hall from potential fire hazards.

Fire Safety Video

Make sure there are smoke alarms on every floor of your home or apartment (off campus).
Test every smoke alarm every month (off campus).
Evacuate the building immediately if you hear an alarm.
Evacuate and call 911 if you suspect a fire.
Stay in your room and call 911 if smoke or fire prevents evacuation.
Keep flammable materials away from any heat source or open flame (space heater, stovetop, etc.).
Store a fire extinguisher in the kitchen; be sure you know how to use it.
Do not leave ignition sources (candles, lit cigarettes, etc) unattended (off campus).
Avoid overloading extension cords or outlets. If you need to plug in two or three appliances, get a UL-approved unit with built-in circuit breakers to prevent sparks and short circuits.
Make sure wiring does not run under rugs, over nails, through door jambs or across high-traffic areas.
Inspect extension cords for frayed or exposed wires or loose plugs.
Do not plug multiple extension cords together.
Do not alter the prongs of polarized plugs to make them fit an outlet.
Make sure outlets have cover plates and no exposed wiring.
Never cover lamps with clothing, paper, drapes or other flammable items.

Please be aware no open flames are allowed inside residence halls. In addition to the general fire safety tips, please also:

Report all damaged, vandalized or missing fire safety equipment to Housing.
Read your hall’s fire safety information and understand your evacuation route.
Never pull a fire alarm without an emergency. It is a violation of state law and can endanger the lives of emergency responders and others.
Comply with residence hall fire safety policies and guidelines to help reduce the likelihood of accidental fire. Never participate in any activity that can create a fire hazard.
Visit the Boyce Housing Page or the Southern Housing Page for items allowed or prohibited in dormitories.
Never cover smoke detectors or fire safety equipment.
Do not tamper with or damage the sprinkler heads located throughout your residence hall.
- Do not remove or tamper with the sprinkler head, cage or any part of the system.
- Do not hang anything from the sprinkler head, cage or from any part of the system. This includes the pipes.
- Keep a clearance of 18” around sprinkler heads, including those located in closets.
- Keep sources of heat away from the sprinkler heads.
- Avoid hitting the sprinkler heads when moving items.
- Do not engage in sports or horseplay that could result in anything striking a sprinkler head anywhere in the residence hall. It may activate the system.

Walk to the nearest exit. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS.
Assist persons with disabilities.
Notify emergency first responders if you suspect someone is trapped inside the building.
Gather outside at a designated assembly area. Do not attempt to re-enter the building until instructed to do so by DPSS officers or Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) staff.

Dial 911 and notify them of your location.
Wet and place cloth around and under the door to prevent smoke from entering.
Close as many doors as possible between you and the fire.
Try to signal someone outside, but DO NOT BREAK WINDOWS unless necessary. Otherwise smoke may be drawn into the room.

Stop, drop and roll until the fire is extinguished. Running only makes the fire burn faster.