Fire and Electrical Safety
Fire Prevention on Campus
Simple fire safety practices help protect our students, employees, and visitors. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits and equipment, keep exits clear, and follow these guidelines to help prevent fires on campus.
Know Your Exits and Emergency Equipment
Be aware of emergency exits and familiarize yourself with the locations of emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers and alarm pull stations. Keep exits and emergency equipment clear of obstructions.
Use Heat Sources Safely
- Never leave heat sources unattended.
- Turn off and unplug equipment when finished.
- Keep flammable materials away from heat sources.
- Use heat-producing equipment only on stable, nonflammable surfaces.
- Before leaving the area, make sure equipment is off, unplugged, and cool.
- Watch for warning signs such as heat, swelling, smoke, hissing, or unusual odors.
Use Extension Cords Properly
- Inspect before use: Never use cords that are frayed, cracked, or damaged.
- Use properly: Choose a cord rated for the equipment and its intended use.
- Keep clear: Don't run cords under rugs, through doorways, or where they create trip hazards.
- No daisy-chaining: Don't connect extension cords or power strips together.
- Keep dry: Keep cords away from water and wet areas.
- Unplug safely: Pull the plug, not the cord, when disconnecting.
Avoid Overloading Outlets
Overloaded outlets can cause wiring, outlets, and cords to overheat or become damaged and may cause circuit breakers to trip.
- Avoid plugging multiple high-power devices into one outlet.
- Use properly rated power strips and never overload them.
- Unplug unnecessary devices when they are not in use.
Practice Lithium Battery Safety
- Use the right charger: Always use the manufacturer-approved charger.
- Inspect before use: Don't use batteries that are swollen, cracked, leaking, or damaged.
- Charge safely: Charge batteries on a hard, nonflammable surface away from heat and combustible materials.
- Don't overcharge: Unplug batteries when fully charged and avoid charging them while sleeping or away from the area.
- Keep batteries cool: Protect batteries from extreme heat and direct sunlight.
- Prevent damage: Don't crush, puncture, modify, or drop lithium batteries.
Report a Safety Concern
Safety concerns can be reported online through Blinn College District Safety and Risk Management.