Just a few days before a fire ripped through Phoenix Cooperative and displaced its residents, Gov. Rick Snyder proclaimed September as Campus Fire Safety Month to raise awareness of potential fire hazards at Michigan universities.
Since 2005, fire safety publication” Campus Firewatch”:http://www.campus-firewatch.com/ has requested leaders across the country to adopt similar proclamations promoting greater fire safety on college campuses. According to Campus Firewatch publisher Ed Comeau, 251 proclamations have been issued since the group began their efforts.
Comeau said the proclamations are about raising awareness.
“(College is) a time to learn about skills you’ll need for the rest of your life when it comes to things like sprinklers, fire alarms, cooking safety, candles, smoking,” Comeau said. “I think the fire (in Phoenix Cooperative) really drives the message home how important it is to know about how to prevent a fire and probably more importantly what to do if a fire should break out.”
Comeau said one important fire safety tip that every student should know is becoming familiar with routes to exit the buildings they frequent.
“Whether you’re in your house, dorm, you’re visiting a friend’s apartment, your classroom, wherever you are, it’s so important to know two ways out,” Comeau said.
East Lansing Fire Inspector Don Carter said much of fire safety comes from preparedness.
“You just have to make good decisions, because when it goes bad, it goes bad quick,” Carter said. “Be more proactive, make your own environment just as safe as you possibly can. Fires happen every day.”
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