Skip to content Skip to footer

Campus Fire Safety

August 15, 2023

Olympia – Living in a college dorm can be a fun experience, but fire safety should always be taken serious no matter where you are living.  Last year in Washington State, there were over 800 fire incidents that involved college campus dormitories with a dollar loss of over $11 million.  Fires in dormitories are more common during the evening hours and weekends, usually occurring between the hours of 5-11 pm.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office encourages college students living away from home to take a few minutes to ensure that they are living in a fire-safe environment by:

    • Making sure the dorm room has working smoke alarms.
    • Testing and maintaining smoke alarms in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
    • Never removing batteries or disable smoke alarms.
    • Knowing two ways out from each room and dormitory building, and practicing a fire escape plan.
    • Talking to roommates to determine a safe place to meet outside the building in case of a fire.
    • Clearing exits, hallways, and stairs so they are not blocked if there is a need to leave quickly.
    • Leaving quickly whenever the fire or smoke alarm sounds. Spending time retrieving items increases the chances of being trapped. Leave everything and GO.
    • Staying in the kitchen whenever cooking, and only cook when alert. Do not cook when sleepy or drowsy from drugs or alcohol.
    • Never leave burning candles unattended.
    • Checking with school’s policies and rules before using any electrical appliances in sleeping room.

For more information, contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at (360) 596-3929.

###

Original release sent by Deputy State Fire Marshal Gregory Baruso.

Contact us

Mailing Address
Washington State Patrol
PO Box 42600
Olympia, WA 98504

Physical Address
Washington State Patrol
Helen Sommers Building
106 11th Avenue SW
Olympia, WA 98501

Wsp accessibility

The Washington State Patrol is firmly committed to providing an environment that provides the public fair and equal treatment and equal access to its benefits, programs and services as required by state and federal laws. If you require reasonable accommodation under the American with Disabilities Act, or would like to file a grievance please click on the following link:  WSP Public Accessibility and Grievance Process

Follow us

© 2025 Washington State Patrol.