NEW YORK - With colleges and schools heading back into session, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) would like to give New Yorkers tips to ensure safety inside and outside of the dorms, classrooms, and off-campus housing.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, over half of the dorm fires that happen are between 4pm and midnight, and unattended equipment is the most common reason that these fires start. Additionally, four out of five campus related fire deaths happen in off-campus housing. 

Please let me know if you are interested in talking to a FASNY representative for more safety information before heading back, or sending your child back to school!

E-Bike Safety:

Store e-bikes, e-scooters, and batteries away from exit doors, and anything that can get hot or catch fire. Never store in hallways. It is best to store these battery-powered devices and their batteries outside your home or any structures like a garage, if possible. Always use the manufacturer’s cord and power adapter made specifically for the device. Do not leave devices plugged in and charging overnight or unattended for long periods of time.  Avoid overcharging. Keep batteries/devices at room temperature and do not place them in direct sunlight.

For your personal safety, always wear a helmet when operating an e-bike and stay VISIBLE. Wear light color clothing if possible. Use the bell/horn to alert others. Prior to riding, ensure that handlebars, brakes, throttle, bell, lights, tires, cables, and frame are in good working order to prevent losing control of the bike. Avoiding distractions while riding, do not wear earphones and avoid doing stunts.

Candles:

Candle safety is incredibly important. Though banned in most dorm rooms and on college campuses, it is still important to be aware of the dangers that candles bring when lighting them. Always keep a burning candle within sight, and never leave it unattended. Be sure to never light a candle near flammable materials like curtains, paper and clothing. If a candle starts smoking or flickering excessively, it is time to extinguish it.

Fire Extinguishers:

When checking off packing lists for college apartments, especially off campus ones, ensure that you have at least one fire extinguisher within the apartment. It is key to keep one in the kitchen in the event that there is an oven or stove fire. It is also important to make sure that there is one nearby in the case that there is an electrical fire, or laundry unit fire. Keeping such a basic, but necessary tool, could save a student's life. 

Smoke Detectors:

This reminder is extremely timely because unfortunately, according to the United States Fire Administration, New York State ranks third in States with fire deaths throughout the country thus far in 2025. Two-thirds of fire deaths occur in homes with either no smoke alarms or non-functioning smoke alarms. Smoke detectors provide an early warning of a threat and allow occupants precious extra minutes to evacuate their homes, which can be life saving. 

Emergency Exits:

Once a smoke detector sounds, there may be less than two minutes to get out safely. Practicing an escape plan will ensure that each person is as prepared as possible. Since most fatal fires happen between midnight and 8AM, it is important to be prepared before the emergency occurs. To help this process, once moving into the building, locate the closest emergency exit and make yourself aware of the distance from door to door.  It is also very important to not block emergency exits or the hallways or routes that lead to them.  Store extra items or things you aren’t currently using in a proper storage area in your residence hall, apartment building or private home.  Also consider renting an off-site storage unit to safely store these extra items during the semester.

- Information from Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY)