Test a fire extinguisher on campus safety day

Have you ever used a hand-held fire extinguisher to put out a fire? Does your house or apartment have a working smoke detector?

Students stopping by “Campus Safety Day” from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, on the lower third of Bascom Hill will be able to answer yes to both of those questions.

As part of October’s Fire Prevention Month, the University of Wisconsin–Madison Offices of the Dean of Students (ODOS) and the Madison Fire Department are partnering to promote the use of fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and overall fire safety.

As part of the event, students, under the supervision of MFD Community Education staff, will be able to put out small, controlled fires using hand-held fire extinguishers. The first 100 participants will receive coupons for a free slice of Ian’s Pizza.

ODOS will also be handing out new 9-volt batteries and asking students to replace their smoke detector batteries before the end of Daylight Savings Time on Sunday, Nov. 2.

UW-Madison Associate Dean of Students Kevin Helmkamp is urging students to check smoke detectors to ensure they are operating and to never disable them or “borrow” the battery for other uses.

Fire safety is an extremely serious issue on the UW–Madison campus. Last year, the university community experienced three major incidents, including a fatal house fire, a major apartment fire and another that claimed the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house.

“Last year was a huge wakeup call for all of us,” says Helmkamp. “We all learned how absolutely vital it is for every house and apartment to have a working smoke detector.”

Smoke alarms should be tested to ensure they are working every month. The battery in a smoke alarm should be changed when the low battery alarm sounds, twice a year or when you’re unsure of how old the battery is.

In addition to the batteries and demonstration, there will be a fire safety quiz where students have a chance to win University Bookstore coupons. Students will also have the opportunity to learn about the importance of voting from the ASM Vote Coalition.

Additional info about college fire safety is available on the university safety site from the People’s Burn Foundation.