Fire Safety

• Ensure there are smoke alarms on every floor of your residence.
• Test every smoke alarm every month in your residence.
• Evacuate the building immediately if you hear an alarm.
• Keep flammable materials away from any heat source or open flame (e.g., space heater, stovetop, etc.).
• Store a fire extinguisher in the kitchen; be sure you know how to use it.
• Do not leave ignition sources (candles, lit cigarettes, etc.) unattended in your residence.
• Avoid overloading extension cords or outlets. If you need to plug in two or three appliances, get an Underwriters Laboratories (UL)-approved unit with built-in circuit breakers to prevent sparks and short circuits.
• Make sure wiring does not run under rugs, over nails, through door jambs, or across high-traffic areas.
• Inspect extension cords for frayed or exposed wires or loose plugs.
• Do not plug multiple extension cords together.
• Do not alter the prongs of polarized plugs to make them fit an outlet.
• Make sure outlets have cover plates and no exposed wiring.
• Never cover lamps with clothing, paper, drapes, or other flammable items.

• Only purchase batteries listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory and labeled accordingly.
• Stop charging a battery once it is full.
• Use the charging equipment that was supplied and is compatible with your device.
• Stop using your device if the battery shows any signs of damage, such as swelling, a change in color, an unusual odor, excessive heat, or popping sounds.
• Have all repairs performed by a qualified professional.
• U-M prohibits the placement, storage, and charging of motorized micro-mobility devices (i.e., e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards, etc.) within university facilities, including residential dorms and properties.

In addition to the general fire safety tips, please also:

• Report all damaged, vandalized, or missing fire safety equipment to Housing Security.
• Read your hall's fire safety information and understand your evacuation route. Instructions are posted inside your room door.
• Never pull a fire alarm without an emergency. It is a violation of state law and can endanger the lives of emergency responders and others.
• Comply with residence hall fire safety policies and guidelines to help reduce the likelihood of accidental fire. Never participate in any activity that can create a fire hazard.
• Do not cover smoke detectors or fire safety equipment. It is a Michigan Housing policy violation.
• Do not tamper with or damage the sprinkler heads located throughout your residence hall. It is a Michigan Housing policy violation.
  • Do not remove or tamper with the sprinkler head, cage, or any part of the system.
  • Do not hang anything from the sprinkler head, cage or any part of the system, including the pipes.
  • Keep a clearance of 18" around sprinkler heads, including those located in closets.
  • Keep sources of heat away from the sprinkler heads.
  • Avoid hitting the sprinkler heads when moving items.
  • Do not engage in sports or horseplay that could result in anything striking a sprinkler head anywhere in the residence hall. It may activate the system.

In addition to the general fire safety tips, please also:

• Never leave the apartment when food is cooking on the stove or in the oven.
• Do not disconnect or otherwise disable apartment fire alarms.
• Never use aluminum foil to line stoves, burners, cupboards or walls. Trapped grease can cause a fire. It is also a potential breeding ground for pests.
• Do not use charcoal or propane grills inside the apartment.
• Never leave charcoal grills with hot coals unattended.
• Never empty charcoal coals into the dumpster without first dousing the coals with water or making sure they are completely cooled.
• Do not store flammable or explosive substances in the apartment or storage area.
• Check the condition of the fire extinguishers by checking the pressure indicator gauge and plastic seal.
• Do not leave clothes dryers running when no one is in the apartment. Clean lint trap after each use.
• Make regular visual inspections of gas appliances. The flame on furnaces, stove pilots and stove burners should be blue. A mostly yellow flame indicates that fuel is not burning completely and could be a potential source of carbon monoxide.
• Do not use open-flame cooking appliances or an unvented space heater to heat your home, for example, gas ranges, ovens or a kerosene heater.
• Avoid wearing loose-sleeved clothing when cooking or working around an open flame.
• Do not block furnace air intakes. Allow a minimum of three feet clearance around these appliances. Gas furnaces need sufficient oxygen to burn properly.
• Keep personal property at least three feet away from the hot water tank and furnace (outside the yellow line in Northwood IV or V).
• Do not attach anything to or hang anything from plumbing, fixtures, air ducts or electrical lines.

1. Manually activate the fire alarm system by pulling the Manual Pull Station located near exits and elsewhere throughout a building.
2. Alert people in the area of the need to evacuate.
3. Immediately exit the building, closing doors behind you. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS.
4. Call 911 once in a safe location.

Any fire (on campus), regardless of magnitude, must be reported to DPSS.

1. Pull the safety pin from the handle of the extinguisher.
2. Aim the hose at the base of the fire.
3. Squeeze the trigger handle.
4. Spray fire retardant from side to side at the base of the fire.

Fire extinguisher training is available by calling EHS Fire Safety at 734-647-1143.

1. Walk to the nearest exit. Do not use elevators.
2. Assist persons with disabilities.
3. Notify emergency first responders if you suspect someone is trapped inside the building.
4. Gather outside at a designated assembly area. Do not attempt to re-enter the building until instructed to do so by DPSS officers or Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) staff.

• Wet a cloth and place it around and under the door to prevent smoke from entering.
• Close as many doors as possible between you and the fire.
• You can try to signal someone outside, but don't break windows unless necessary. Otherwise, smoke may be drawn into the room.

• Drop to your hands and knees. Crawl toward the exit.
• Stay low, as the smoke will rise to the ceiling.
• Breathe shallowly through your nose.
• Use a filter, such as a shirt or towel, to make breathing easier.

Stop, drop and roll until the fire is extinguished. Running only makes the fire burn faster.