This September marks the fifth annual National Campus Fire Safety Month.  Since 2000, at least 135 people have died in campus-related fires with over 80 percent of them occurring in off-campus housing according to information compiled by Campus Firewatch.  The goal of Campus Fire Safety Month is making more schools, communities, students and parents aware of the dangers of fire and engaging them in learning what they can do to make sure tragedy does not strike.

   
"I think we see so many fire deaths in off-campus housing for several reasons," said Ed Comeau, publisher of Campus Firewatch and a long-time advocate for campus fire safety.  "This is where almost two-thirds of the students across the country live.  Also, the buildings tend to be older, unsprinklered and may be missing smoke alarms.  There are also fewer rules regarding activities such as smoking and candles and there is more alcohol consumption taking place.  All of these are contributing factors to fatal fires that have occurred over the years."
 
To help combat this and raise national awareness, Campus Firewatch has teamed up with the Congressional Fire Services Institute, the Ohio Fire Safety Coalition, and the University of North Carolina to hold an event on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on September 17 with congressional co-sponsors Senators Frank Lautenberg (NJ) and Susan Collins (ME) and Representatives Bill Pascrell (NJ-8) and Joe Wilson (SC-2).  Senator Susan Collins is a co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.
 
A contingent of students, parents who have lost children, fire officials and advocates will be joining together with Members of Congress for a press conference and followed by meetings on Capitol Hill.
 
More information on National Campus Fire Safety Month can be found at www.CampusFireSafetyMonth.org. 
 
Educational resources and information are available for download at www.campus-firewatch.com.