In this slideshow, John Marcus the UVM Fire Marshal shares life-saving information around fire safety. Most importantly about how drastically your risk of being injured or killed by a fire once you move off campus.

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University
of Vermont
Since 1791

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Off Campus
Living Workshop
u v m . e d u / o s c r

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MODULE 7
U V M F i r e M a r s h a l : O f f C a m p u s F i r e S a f e t y
What doRAs doing room inspections, sprinklers/smoke detectors/fire
alarmsystems, andUVMPD doing walk through have in common? You
can consider all of them as multiple layers offiresafety that make injuryor
death in a firevery unlikely while you live in aresidence hall.
But when you move off campus, most ofthese systems disappear. Who
takes up the slack? You do!To help you befire safe, we aregoingto share
topthree things you should beawareofwhen you livedowntown.

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5 WHEN YOU
GO OUT,
BLOW OUT
Although candles can addplenty of hygge toyourhome –it’s aDanish
concept ofhomeyness – they alsopresent a huge firehazardwhen not
used properly.Here aresome tips:
• Don’t leave a candle burning unattended
• Don’t burn candles near drapes, tapestries, orother flammables.
• Always blow out candles when you leave a roomorgo tobed.
Never leave a candle burningif you aregoing out.

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6 STAND BY
YOUR PAN
Insurveysofoffcampusstudents,cookingforthemselvesisalwaysone ofthetop
tworeasonstheychose toliveoffcampus(theotherismoreautonomy).
Cookingisfunforsure,butbeingdistractedbycellphones, friendsorphone calls
can leadtodisaster.
Hereareafewtips:
• Neverleaveyourcookingunattended.When done,make suretoturnoffall
burnersandovenifused.
• Learnhowtodealwitha greasefire(hint:DONOTTHROWWATER ON IT).
• Makesureyouhavea workingfireextinguisher(thisshouldbeprovidedby
yourlandlord).

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7 GET AN
ASHTRAY
Smoking has alot of negative consequences to you (health), roommates
(second-hand smoke) andyour place (third-hand smoke). In fact, many
leases expressly forbidsmoking so make sure you check on that before you
smoke at yourplace.
However, if it is allowed andyou chose tosmoke make sure topurchase an
ACTUAL ashtray.Using bottles, cans, or other impromptu items as an
ashtray can lead toa fireas these items were not designed tobe ashtrays.
Again, make sure you alsohave andknow how touse afire extinguisher in
case a firedoes start.

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8 STUFFED
STUFF STAYS
INDOORS
This hasbeen mentioned earlier but having upholstered furnitureon
porches is a $500 fine andmore importantly a realrisk for being the
source ofafire. Because the furnitureis outside, if it does catch fire
(from a flicked cigarette ofsomeone walking by forinstance) it can be
fully engulfed andspread on exterior wallslong before anyone inside
notices. This photo is ofa firethat originated from acouch on that
porch.
Stay safe andkeep stuffed stuff indoors.

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ALCOHOL VS.
ALCOHOL-FREE
Drinking a liquid might not seem like a firehazardbut when you
consume alcohol you aremorelikely toforgetabout firesafety – anda
lot of other things too.
If yoursocialization involves alcohol perhaps be extra vigilant about
being firesafe. You could alsoplan on not cooking, smoking, orlighting
candles if you consume alcohol –just in case.

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Thank You!
Thefiremarshal wantsyoutotakecontrolofyourownfiresafetyandhavea
greattimeoffcampus.