Contact: Ed Comeau, Publisher
Campus Firewatch
www.campus-firewatch.com

413-323-6002 (tel)
413-896-5718 (cell)
ecomeau@campus-firewatch.com

Clarification of recent information on campus fires provided by the Consumer Product Safety Commission

BELCHERTOWN, Mass., September 6, 2007 — The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently held a press conference and issued a press release regarding a reported rise in fires in what the CPSC referred to as “campus housing.” Citing the just-released report from the National Fire Protection Association “U.S. Structure Fires in Dormitories, Fraternities, Sororities and Barracks,” the CPSC stated that the number of fires in “campus housing” had risen to 3,300 fires in 2005 and that 39 fire deaths had occurred in this occupancy. This was misstated and this clarification is being offered by Campus Firewatch.

According to the NFPA, “U.S. Structure Fires in Dormitories, Fraternities, Sororities and Barracks” is a report on fires in a number of occupancies, only one of which is residence halls at colleges and universities. These other occupancies include:

• Dormitories in educational and non-educational settings and schools other than higher education
• Military barracks
• Nursing quarters
• Monasteries

The report also provides information on fires in fraternities and sororities but does not break out a category for “campus housing.” For this reason, the exact number of fires (and related information such as fire causes) occurring in “campus housing” as identified by the CPSC is unknown and cannot be reliably reported.

The CPSC press release also states that there were 39 fire deaths in “campus housing” from 2000 to 2005. However, this number was based on a projection in an earlier draft of the NFPA report that was not included in the final report. In NFPA’s report there are 16 fire fatalities identified in dormitories and Greek housing during this period and Campus Firewatch has been able to identify 18 fire fatalities. Even with this difference in numbers, it does not approach the total identified by CPSC.

Since the tragedy at Seton Hall University in January 2000, a number of schools across the country are focusing stronger efforts on campus fire safety through increased student education and improved detection and suppression in residence halls. Of the 113 campus-related fire deaths identified by Campus Firewatch from January 2000 to August 28, 2007, over 80 percent of the deaths have occurred in off-campus housing. Only ten percent of the fire deaths have occurred in the residence halls and another 10 percent in Greek housing. One occurred in an academic setting.

As can be seen in the following chart and table, the problem clearly lies in the off-campus environment and the argument can be made that fire deaths in residence halls and Greek housing are going down, or at least staying relatively stable. Furthermore, if fires were increasing, the decreasing number of fire deaths demonstrates a success story in that the greater number of fires is not translating into more fire deaths.

Campus fire safety is a significant concern and one that requires a concerted effort to ensure that today’s students are both protected and educated as to their personal responsibilities. It is important to recognize where the dangers lie and commend schools and communities that are taking aggressive and proactive steps to protect their students. Given that the greatest danger is in the off-campus environment, it is vital that students receive ongoing fire safety education throughout their college career to ensure that they know how to select fire-safe housing and the actions they can take to protect themselves, their friends and roommates from the dangers of fire.

Campus Firewatch, in publication since 2000, is a monthly electronic newsletter focusing on campus fire safety. For more information, visit our website at www.campus-firewatch.com.