Dr. J's Message for Week of Oct. 12-19, 2009
October is the month for apple-picking, leaf-raking, football games, Halloween parties, pumpkin pie...and changing the batteries in your smoke detectors.
This is very important if you live off-campus. Since 2000, 12 college students in Ohio have died in off-campus house fires, five of them here in Columbus. Non-working smoke detectors played a role in many of those tragedies. You should also know two ways out of your house or apartment and practice doing them blindfolded to simulate the conditions of a smoke-filled house.
Did you know that the number one cause of house fires is cooking accidents? A common scenario is that someone comes home late, tired and hungry-and possibly also having had a few drinks--and puts some food on the stove to cook. Being tired, they lie down "for just a minute" while it heats up. They fall asleep, the food catches fire, and if everyone is lucky, the smoke detector goes off and wakes them before disaster strikes.
Other causes of house fires include unattended candles, improperly discarded cigarette butts, and worn or overloaded electrical wiring. For more information, see this web site http://firesafety.osu.edu/
It's a good idea to check your smoke detectors once a month to make sure they're working correctly. Most models have a test button. If the alarm doesn't sound when you test it, contact your landlord and request a repair or replacement. You can pick up free batteries for your smoke detectors at Off-Campus Student Services, 15 E. 15th Ave., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
If you live in a residence hall, you don't have to be concerned about changing batteries, as we have very reliable smoke and fire detection systems and test them regularly. We conduct three fire drills per year in residence halls, so everyone knows what to do. We also work hard to eliminate false or nuisance alarms, so when you hear a fire alarm in your hall, you should take it seriously and get out right away.
Smoke detectors save lives. Make sure yours is working.
Dr. J
Javaune Adams-Gaston, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Life
Contact:
Ruth Gerstner
614-292-8424
gerstner.2@osu.edu