Fire Safety in the Residence Halls
Did you know approximately 80% of fire alarm activations are caused by student mishap? Student mishap means any of the following:
-Cooking accidents, not reading microwave and cooking instructions carefully and not staying close by when cooking.
-Burning candles
-Excessive hairspray can set off detectors
-Vaping is smoking and is not allowed inside the buildings
-Over loading washing machines and dryers, which makes them overheat and smoke
These are all common reasons for fire alarms going off unnecessarily (and often at inopportune times).
The local fire department is required to come to campus for all fire alarm activations, and students will not be able to re-enter until local fire officials give authorization. As a result, this could mean longer wait times to confirm that a fire alarm evacuation was simply overcooked and burned Easy Mac.
Residential Education staff are reminding students to stay with their food when they are cooking, follow cooking instructions carefully and practicing other good fire safety behaviors in the halls to keep our communities safe and prevent unnecessary alarms.
Separately, fire drills are planned and conducted throughout the year for residential student safety, and as required by State law. These are generally during daytime and evening hours and are not late night or overnight hours. Residents are reminded to immediately evacuate the building whenever a fire alarm sounds, via the closest stairwell and exit. Students should not use elevators in the event of an alarm. Once outside, residents should move a safe distance from the building, with attention to staying clear of any responding emergency vehicles. When away from the building, they may contact TCNJ Police at (609) 771-2345 and advise them of any additional information that you may have regarding the fire alarm (such as if they observed smoke or fire in a specific location).
With these measures in place, we can maintain safe communities for all of our residents.