Fire Safety Month comes to campuses nationwide every September. In light of recent events, Auburn is making greater efforts to educate students about fire safety both on and off campus.
Last month, there was a fire at 160 North Ross Street.
Nobody was injured, and it was contained in a timely manner. However, occurrences like this bring to light the need for students to educate themselves on fire safety, according to Jonathan Haney, Auburn fire safety specialist for risk management and safety.
“Most college students haven’t really had fire safety education probably since elementary school, so it’s not something that’s in the forefront of their mind,” Haney said.
Auburn is no stranger to incidents like these.
Auburn University’s landmark, Samford Hall, was the result of a destructive fire.
On June 24, 1887, “Old Main” was destroyed as the result of a fire. The year following, Samford Hall was constructed in its place using some of the salvaged bricks from Old Main, according to Auburn’s “History of Samford Hall.”
On Sept. 21, 1996, CBS Sports reported that a fire broke out on Auburn’s campus as a result of tailgating.
The Sports Arena, known as “the Barn,” caught fire as the result of the embers of an LSU fan’s grill, and the smoke could be seen from inside Jordan-Hare Stadium during the football game.
“The first sign of trouble were gasps from the stands on east side. Soon flames were leaping above the upper deck,” said CBS Sports.
“Luckily to this point we haven’t had a fire on campus that resulted in the loss of life, so we’re lucky that that hasn’t happened, but we would like to keep it that way,” Haney said.
With the help of The Center for Campus Fire Safety, Auburn is hoping to raise awareness on fire safety.
Haney uses the everyday example of simply turning the stove on to cook something and forgetting about it.
Haney has offered short statements such as “look when you cook” and “stand by your pan” to serve as easy reminders in our every day lives.
Haney said he believes that is why it’s so important to educate ourselves and make fire safety our own personal responsibility.
“I always say the best way to survive a fire is to prevent one,” said Haney.
The National Fire Protection Association and The Center for Campus Fire Safety are holding a contest to see who can best make an informative video on fire safety.
Prizes range from a pizza party and a free iPad.
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