Back to School = Back to Fire Safety
The assignment can wait. The party can wait. But a fire won’t.
The Reality of Fire Risks for Students
Every fall, thousands of students move into dorms, apartments, and shared housing as they begin their post-secondary journey. For many, it’s their first time living away from home and with independence comes new responsibilities. While academics, part-time jobs, and social life often take priority, fire safety too often gets overlooked. But residence fires are a very real threat, and students need practical tools to stay safe.
According to the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal, unattended cooking, candles, and overloaded outlets are top causes of fires involving young adults. National data shows students are at higher risk because many live in older buildings without strong safety measures. Tragic cases across Canada and the United States highlight what happens when fire safety is ignored. Fires can spread in under three minutes, leaving little time to escape. Prevention and preparedness are critical.
Why Knowfire.ca Matters
Amid back-to-school excitement, fire safety may not be top of mind but it should be. That’s where Knowfire.ca comes in: a student-focused resource with short videos, tips, and checklists that make the message real.
- Built by Brock University, Niagara College, and local fire departments, Knowfire.ca uses short, high-impact videos showing real student fire risks — like unattended cooking or blocked exits.
- Two-minute clips mix humor with gripping scenarios (burned pizza boxes, disabled smoke alarms, smoky hallways) to make the message stick.
- In its first week, the campaign drew over 20,000 hits and global attention.
- Beyond videos, Knowfire.ca offers practical tools: renter safety checklists, reminders about drills, alarm testing, and tips for parents and landlords.
Common Student Misconceptions
- Myth 1: “It won’t happen to me.”
Reality: Fires don’t discriminate. Students are just as vulnerable as anyone else. - Myth 2: “I’ll just unplug the smoke alarm if it beeps.”
Reality: That chirp means the battery is dying — fix it, don’t disable it. Ignoring alarms can turn dangerous in minutes. - Myth 3: “Candles and smoking are safe if I’m careful.”
Reality: Small flames are unpredictable. One accident can spark a blaze in seconds.
Essential Fire Safety Tools
Working smoke alarms and clear escape plans are proven life-savers. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a working smoke alarm cuts the risk of dying in a fire by half.
These tools provide critical escape time, but many student residences fail to maintain them. Students must be proactive: test alarms monthly, learn two ways out of every room, and report issues immediately.
Shared Responsibility
- Students: Watch Knowfire.ca, test alarms, avoid careless cooking, and take drills seriously.
- Parents: Talk about safety before move-in. Share the Knowfire checklist and stress the importance of alarms and escape plans.
- Landlords & Institutions: Maintain alarms, enforce policies, and use Knowfire resources to support fire safety education.
Cost vs. Consequences
Fire safety may seem inconvenient, but ignoring it is costly. Simple, affordable steps like surge-protected power bars, flameless candles, and timers reduce risk. For landlords and universities, investing in modern safety systems costs far less than the lives and property lost in a preventable fire.
A Call to Action
As orientation begins, make sure “Back to School” also means “Back to Fire Safety.”
- Watch Knowfire.ca videos.
- Test smoke alarms monthly.
- Stay in the kitchen when cooking.
- Keep exits clear.
- Know two ways out and a safe meeting point.
No exam, party, or late-night study session is worth a preventable fire. Let this be the year safety becomes a priority. Stay smart. Stay safe.
References
- Brock University. (n.d.). Fire Safety in Residences.
- Fire Fighting in Canada. Fire Safety Website Targets Tough-to-Reach Age Group
- Knowfire.ca. (n.d.). Fire Safety Awareness for Students
- Windsor Fire & Rescue Services. (n.d.). Student Housing Safety Tips
Author: Scott Pugsley, Professor of Fire Protection Engineering Technology and Dad of two Ontario University students.