Olympia – The Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office recommends parents discuss safe choices
with their college students and avoid dangerous contributors to campus fires:
• Using alcohol or drugs. Students under the influence of alcohol or drugs may be slower to
respond in an emergency.
• Smoking. In more than half the campus fires, smoking materials were identified as the source
of ignition with smoking materials smoldering in a couch, either inside or outside the building.
• Cooking with toasters, toaster ovens, or hot plates in dorm rooms. Check with
Residential Housing office for a list of appliances that are not allowed. And always watch what
you cook.
• Be sure that all smoke alarms remain operational. Never disable smoke alarms to prevent
nuisance or unintended alarms.
For more information, contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at 360-596-3929.
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