Safety Update
Brought to you by ISU Public Safety and the ISU Safety Committee September, 2002
Hot Stuff You Need To Know If There's a Fire
- Sound the alarm, if available, as soon as you suspect a fire. Warn other occupants - know on doors & shout as you leave.
- Leave the building. Don't attempt a rescue unless you can do so safely. Stay out of the building until given the O.K. to return by fire officials.
- Call the fire department from a safe location. Provide the dispatcher with as much information as possible. (DIAL 911). You also need to Notify ISU Public Safety @ 282-2515.
To survive a fire
- Crawl low under smoke. If you get caught in smoke, get down and crawl. Cleaner, cooler air will be near the floor.
- Feel any door before opening it. If it is cool, brace yourself against the door, open it slightly and if trapped by heat or heavy smoke, close the door and stay in the room (do not jump - the fire department will rescue you).
If you get trapped
- Keep the doors closed. A closed door can protect you from fire, heat and smoke elsewhere in the building. If you are trapped, seal cracks and vents from incoming smoke. Open windows, down at the top to allow heat and smoke to escape; up from the bottom to allow fresh air in.
- Go to the nearest stairway or exit. If nearest exit is blocked by heat, fire or smoke, stay low and go to another exit. Use exit stairs, not elevators. Elevator shafts may fill with smoke or the power might fail, leaving you trapped. Stairway fire doors will keep out fire and smoke-if they are closed-and will protect you until you are outside.
- Close as many doors as possible as you leave. This will help to confine the fire.
- Only use the fire extinguisher if the fire is very small and you know how to do it safely. If the extinguisher does not put out the fire, leave immediately. Make sure the fire department is called-even if you think the fire is out.
If you are on fire: stop, drop & roll!
- If your clothes catch fire, stop drop and roll wherever you are. Rolling smothers the flames.
- Cool burns. Use cool tap water immediately for burns. Don't use ointments. If skin is blistered, dead white, brown or charred, call for an ambulance.
To Prevent Fires
Open Flames
Be very careful with open flames. Bunsen burners, etc. should never be left unattended. If you leave, even for only a moment, put out all flames.
Candles are not allowed in offices or dorm rooms.
Appliances
Use of electrical "octopuses" to obtain more outlets can result in overloaded circuits and fire-replace damaged wires-match your appliance power requirements to the circuit power.
Most electrical circuits only supply 15 to 20 amps per room for all of the outlets. Also, extension cords should be limited to temporary use.
Cook in approved areas or kitchens and use listed appliances. Stay nearby when appliances are on. Unattended cooking is a major cause of fires in attendance halls.
Hotplates, coffee pots, irons, space heaters, etc. should never be left unattended. Keep space heaters away from curtains and furniture since appliances can overload circuits and start a fire.
Remember-Space heaters need space!
Hazardous Storage
Recycle and dispose of all waste as soon as possible. Waste material should be stored in a safe place, not in corridors or stairways.
Improper Storage & Deadly Obstacles
Storing bikes, chairs, desks, and other items is prohibited in corridors and stairways. Blocked exits have caused pile-ups of fallen people during emergencies.
Protect Yourself
Participate in fire drills
Drills are used to familiarize yourself with the building's alarm, emergency exits you may not normally use, and the procedure for call the fire department.
Alcohol & Drugs
If you use either of these, you are especially vulnerable to being killed from smoke inhalation - you cannot smell smoke when you are asleep.
Extinguish Vandalism & Arson
Report Damaged Fire Equipment
Fire Doors - Should close automatically & completely.
Exit Signs - Two exit signs should be visible from all public areas.
Smoke Detectors - Keep them working so they can detect smoke in time for you to get out.
Fire Alarms - Horns, bells and pull stations should be in working order and not vandalized.
Fire Extinguishers - Report empty or vandalized extinguishers.
Report Fire-Related Crimes to Officials
Please assist with information leading to the arrest of any arsonist or vandal. Vandalism of fire extinguishers, exit signs, and fire alarms robs you of your fire protection.
Call Public Safety at 282-2515 and PPD at 234-6100 with any information. Dial 911 for emergencies.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
"As we observe National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October), I call on all Americans to commit to preventing domestic violence and to assist those who suffer from it. These collective efforts will contribute to peace in our homes, schools, places of work, and communities and will help ensure the future safety of countless children and adults." (White House Press Release, George W. Bush October 2, 2001).
Domestic/Intimate Partner & Dating Violence
- An estimated 6 million women are assaulted by a male partner each year and of these, 1.8 million are severely assaulted.
- Studies of college & high school students suggest that both males and females inflict and receive dating violence in equal proportion, but the motivation for violence by women is more often for defensive purposes.
- Other studies have found that women and girls were victims of dating violence twice as often as men and boys.
- A recent National Crime Victimization survey found that women were 6 times more likely than men to experience violence at the hands of an intimate partner. Intimate partners include current or former spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends, dating partners, regardless of whether they are co-habiting or not.
- The State Crime Victimization Survey showed Bannock Co. to have the highest domestic violence rate in the state of Idaho.
Domestic violence spans all racial, socio-economic, and demographic boundaries. Domestic violence takes many forms, ranging from battering, rape and homicide to threats of violence, verbal assaults and other forms of intimidation.
If you know someone who is being abused, support them in their efforts to end the violence. Don't blame them for the abuse. Give them the strength and emotional support to leave if they need it, but do not force them to leave. Support them in their decision to stay or leave.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month is October. The Bannock Co. Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Task Force has several events planned to raise awareness of this issue. A candlight vigil is being planned for Oct. 1 at Caldwell Park at approx. 7:30 pm. There will be a forum "Addressing Domestic Violence Through the Life Span" on Oct. 4th in the SUB Salmon River Suite from 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 pm. ISU's Women's & Men's Center will have Silent Witness displays set up around the campus and the community.
If you are interested in any of these events or want to know more information, please do not hesitate to contact the following people: Karen Hayward, R.N., Ph.D, ISU Nursing Dept. @ 282-2102; Janet C. Anderson Women's & Men's Center @ 282-2805; Family Services Alliance @ 232-0742; ISU Public Safety @ 282-2426.
If you need an advocate for a domestic violence on-site intervention, hospital response for a victim of domestic violence, or if you just need more information about a call/situation, please contact the Project Hope Crisis Line @ 282-HOPE (4673)or call The Family Services Alliance Crisis Line @ 208-251-4357. You may also contact Public Safety @ 282-2515, or PPD @ 234-6100. In an emergency always call 911.