Staten Island 'tweens, teens

If your child’s home away from home is a college dorm room this semester, there are a few things you should know. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that nearly 1,600 fires a year occur in U.S. dorm rooms and fraternity and sorority houses. Older wiring, ill-suited to handle the electrical load from laptops, refrigerators, microwaves, TV’s, stereo equipment and other appliances students use in their dorm rooms, may well be part of the problem.

The Leviton Institute urges you to ensure your child applies safe electrical practices while away at school. If you 're planning a visit on campus, make sure your child is not only well versed on all aspects of their schoolwork but also well educated on the safe use of electricity in the dorm. Start by conducting a visual inspection of your child’s dorm room or suite, making sure to check the following areas:

• Overloaded Circuits: Next to candles and cigarettes, overloaded circuits are the second leading cause of campus fires. If an appliance cord or an outlet into which it is plugged feels hot, the appliance should be disconnected immediately. If you notice outlets that are damaged or that no longer grip plugs properly, notify the campus housing staff.

• Power Strips/Adapters: Most college dorms are equipped with an insufficient number of outlets. To compensate for this, students frequently use power strips or adapters to add more connections. These ramp up the load requirements and can overload the electrical system. Only power strips with an over-current protector (circuit breaker), which automatically shuts off if too much current is being drawn, should be used. To protect electronics like computers, printers and stereos from damaging spikes and surges, these devices should be plugged into a surge strip.

• Extension Cords: Only extension cords with the UL label should be used. These have undergone rigorous safety testing and can be purchased with confidence. Keep in mind that electrical cords are designed for temporary use only and should never be used for permanent connections or to provide power to other extension cords. Also, they should never be run under rugs or furniture.

• Appliances: Toasters, microwaves, hotplates, coffeemakers and electric irons should never be situated near bedding, books, draperies or clothing. These items can get hot enough to ignite clothing or paper. Keep these appliances away from bathtubs and sinks, as water and electricity should never come in contact. Appliances that are not being used should always be switched off. Any appliance with a damaged or frayed cord shouldn’t be used. Adherence to the college’s rules and guidelines on approved equipment is critical. If the college prohibits the use of certain appliances, it’s because they pose a serious hazard.

• Halogen Lamps: Halogen lamps can reach temperatures hot enough to ignite blankets or curtains and have been banned from most college campuses because they’re unsafe. If they are permitted on your child’s campus, they should be used with extreme caution. Make sure the lamp has a mesh guard that isolates the bulb and that it is also equipped with an automatic tip-over switch.

• Evacuation Procedures: Be sure to tell you child about the importance of taking on-campus fire drills seriously. Your child should know where the nearest exits are and have evacuation procedures and escape plans committed to memory. You can’t always be there to watch out for your child, but by ensuring your child’s dorm room is equipped with a fire extinguisher and smoke detector, you can add to your peace of mind.