We all remember those super-cheesy family meetings we had when we were kids … Mom, Dad, Sis/Bro and you, sitting around the coffee table planning out color-coded fire escape routes and what to do if you woke up and smelled smoke. (We even had to get our plan signed and hand it in to our teachers when I was in elementary school).

Cheesy as they are, fire safety plans and escape routes are vital for protecting college students.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, college students are considered one of the most at-risk groups for fires, along with the elderly and disabled. Besides the obvious-don’t smoke, light candles or attempt to plug all of your electronics into one outlet-here’s how to prevent fires and make sure you’re ready in case there is one.

1. Don’t drink and cook

I love a glass of wine as I prep dinner, too, but according to the USFA, in more than 50 percent of adult fire deaths, the victims were under the influence at the time of the fire. Plus, cooking is the No. 1 cause of college fires.

‘Because people are drinking, they’re not as quick to respond,’ said Kathy Gerstner, a fire programming specialist with the USFA.

If you’re a grilling fan (and who isn’t?), follow SU’s Off-Campus Student Services’ advice and keep your grill at least 12 feet from your apartment, even when it’s off.

2. Demand protection

Know where your fire alarms, smoke detectors, sprinklers and extinguishers are, and leave them alone. Vandalized fire alarms are one of the major causes of dorm fires, according to the USFA.

In 2000, three Seton Hall University students died in a dorm fire when they failed to heed the alarms because there had been so many false ones. As much as you don’t want to get out of bed at 4 a.m. in the rain, do it; we’re not infallible, and the next one could be real.

According to the Center for Campus Fire Safety, over 75 percent of campus fire deaths occur in off-campus houses where landlords, unlike the university, may not be required to provide fire safety features.

‘The problem is when you get off campus,’ Gerstner said. ‘The parents or the students have to look for this stuff when they’re looking for a place to live.’

3. Know who to call

Know how to get in touch with emergency services (911 in Syracuse for fire). Keep a phone in your dorm room, in case you cannot reach your cell phone during a fire. Make sure your cell phone recognizes 911 as an emergency number and dials immediately.

4. Know how to get out

Know the fire plans in your dorm or apartment. If there’s a fire escape, is it up to code and safe?

The best protection is precaution. Know your options and how to stay safe. Check out the experts: www.campusfire.org; www.usfa.dhs.govatrisk/campus.

Published on September 14, 2006 at 12:00 pm