AMHERST, MASS., and MEBANE, N.C., August 2006 – The beginning of a new term means classes, homework, friends, and parties. With such hectic lives, students often don’t pay attention to one thing that could kill them: accidental fires. As a new semester begins, safety experts urge students to take action to protect themselves and their friends from fire.

In the past six years, 89 people have died as a result of on- and off-campus fires and hundreds more have been injured, according to the Center for Campus Fire Safety, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing campus-related fire issues. August and September are two of the deadliest months for these fires, most of which take place in off-campus apartments or homes – where three-fourths of college students live.

“Off-campus fires are similar to the very type of fires that we see across the nation every day, so the fire problem facing the country also affects college campuses,” said Ed Comeau, executive director of the Center for Campus Fire Safety. “Students who are impaired by alcohol, or who may live in a place without working smoke alarms or without a sprinkler system, only increase their risk of not getting out in time. It’s a deadly combination.”

Carelessly disposed of cigarettes are the leading causes of fatal fires in all residences, including rental properties where college students may live, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Students also can fall victim to fires started by open flames such as candles.

Drinking, particularly binge drinking, is common on college campuses. Studies show alcohol decreases inhibition and impairs judgment, which can increase a student’s risk of not waking to the sound of a smoke alarm and perhaps not surviving a fire. The U.S. Fire Administration states that in more than 50 percent of all adult fire fatalities, victims are under the influence of alcohol.

How To Help Prevent Fires
One of the most important precautions students can take is to make sure their residence hall, apartment or home has working smoke alarms. If not, install one in every room, and check the batteries and test the alarms regularly. Place alarms on walls or ceilings and don’t cover them with posters, tapestries or furniture. Students also should own and know how to use a fire extinguisher, and know two ways to exit every building.

Students who smoke should properly dispose of all smoking materials by using ashtrays, and avoid throwing cigarette butts in a trashcan or in other potentially flammable areas. Many of the same rules apply when burning candles. Keep candles away from items that could easily catch fire and fully extinguish them when leaving the room or going to bed.

When it comes to alcohol, the best way for students to protect themselves is to not drink or at least drink responsibly. Studies show that you have an average of three minutes from the sound of the first smoke alarm to escape, leaving no room for a delayed reaction because of alcohol consumption.

What You Should Do in the Event of a Fire
Fire experts recommend the following steps if a fire occurs:

• Close the doors to stop the spread of fire.
• Pull the building’s fire alarm and alert others as you’re leaving.
• Get out of the building immediately. Don’t stop to grab your things;
  they can be replaced, but you can’t.
• Notify the fire department from outside the building.
• Do not go back inside the building to retrieve any belongings.

For more tips and information on college-related fires, visit www.campusfire.org.

About Kidde
As the world’s largest manufacturer of fire safety products, Kidde’s mission is to provide solutions that protect people and property from the effects of fire and its related hazards. For more than 80 years industry leaders, the military, airlines and firefighters have relied on Kidde to deliver superior fire detection and suppression. Consumers will find that same advanced fire safety technology in Kidde's residential and commercial smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and other life safety products. Based in Mebane, N.C., Kidde is part of UTC Fire & Security, a leading global supplier of fire safety and security services, serving government, industrial, commercial and retail industries with brand names such as Kidde, Chubb and others. UTC Fire & Security is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) a diversified company that provides high technology products and services to the aerospace and building industries worldwide. For more information, visit www.kidde.com.

About The Center for Campus Fire Safety
The Center for Campus Fire Safety (CCFS), a nationally recognized organization, was formed to provide a central focal point for the complex issues surrounding campus fire safety. The goal of the Center is to provide a place for those interested in campus fire safety to share ideas and learn from their peers.

About UL
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is an independent, not-for-profit product safety certification organization that has been testing products and writing Standards for Safety for more than 110 years. UL tests more than 19,000 types of products annually, and more then 19 billion UL Marks appear on products each year. Worldwide, UL's family of companies and its network of service providers include 58 laboratories, and testing and certification facilities.