25 Press release - Student safety

The Southern Area Accident Prevention Liaison Group (SAAPLG) is reminding parents to advise their sons and daughters about staying safe in privately rented student accommodation.

Dr Tohani from the Public Health Agency and Chair of SAAPLG explains: “This new independent lifestyle can be very exciting, however, it can take time to adjust to this new environment and the new responsibilities it brings. More accidents happen in the home compared to on the roads and at work put together so a few precautions should be taken to maximise safety.”

Constable David Smith, PSNI said: “Young people moving into their first student accommodation need to feel safe and secure. It is important when moving into your new room, flat or house that you keep in mind some simple security questions when speaking with the landlord or leasing agent:

• Make sure you have quality security bolts / locks on all windows and doors. Have a door chain and viewer fitted and use it when someone calls;

• If you have a telephone, have an extension placed beside your bed;

• Keep your door and ground level windows in full view, have large bushes well cut back;

• Always draw your curtains after dark;

• Never leave mobile phones or car keys close to a glass front door.

“You can ask to have locks changed on houses that have been previously rented out. You never know who may have a key to your front door,” he said.

Dr Tohani added: “Students renting new accommodation should be especially aware of the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, which can often be missed completely or mistaken for flu, viral illnesses or food poisoning.

“I would advise parents to purchase a carbon monoxide detector for their son or daughter going to university. Like a working smoke alarm this device which costs around £20.00 could make all the difference. Carbon monoxide is known as the ‘silent killer’ - with no taste and no smell however, a working CO detector will not keep silent if carbon monoxide is present.”

Highlighting some fire safety messages, Victor Spence, Assistant Group Commander, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said: “New student experiences such as cooking, heating the home and personal lifestyle choices, for example drinking and smoking, can contribute to the risk of a fire. More people die in fires caused by smoking than in fires resulting from any other single cause. Never smoke in bed or leave cigarettes unattended. Make an escape plan with the other tenants so that you can act quickly in the event of a fire and get everyone out safely. It is important to check that your means of escape is not blocked or shut.”

• Students should ensure that the accommodation has a working smoke alarm on every floor level as many student houses are multiple-storey;

• Parents should explain the importance of practising a night-time routine. Simple steps such as closing internal doors at night can prevent smoke and fire spreading and provide the time needed to escape;

• Keep open fires covered with a fireguard but never cover an electric or gas heater or use it to dry clothes;

• Use candles sensibly, place on a heat-resistant surface away from draughts and never leave unattended.

• When cooking keep flammable materials such as cloths and towels away from the cooker and hob;

• Keep cooking appliances clean and switch them off after use - a build up of crumbs or fat can easily catch fire;

• If you can’t supervise the cooking for any length of time take pans off the hob or switch the oven off;

• Use a deep fat fryer rather than a chip pan.

• Overloading electrical sockets is a major cause of fire;

• Only use one plug in each socket and keep the total amps of all plugs in a bar adaptor or socket to 13 amps or less;

• Check the flexes of appliances for any wear and tear and pay particular attention to electric blankets. Old or damaged electric blankets cause more than 5,000 fires a year.

For further information, or to request a Free Home Fire Safety Check, log onto www.nifrs.org or on CO poisoning visit: www.co-awareness.co.uk.

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