Fire safety is no laughing matter, follow these tips

Fire/Police (City of Pittsburgh): Dial 911 University of Pittsburgh Police: (412) 624-2121… Fire/Police (City of Pittsburgh): Dial 911 University of Pittsburgh Police: (412) 624-2121

Smoke Detectors:

Smoke detectors should be located in every apartment. Don’t hang things from them or cover them up. Test the detectors every fall and spring. If the batteries are dead, replace them, or if the alarm is not working for any reason, notify your landlord or replace it.

If there is a fire:

Sound the alarm. If there is no alarm in the building, warn the other occupants by knocking on the doors and shouting as you leave.

Evacuate. Try to rescue others only if you can do so safely. Move away from the building and out of the way of the fire department. Do not go back into the building until the fire department says it is safe.

Report. Call the fire department. Dial 911 and give as much information as possible to the emergency dispatcher.

To survive a fire:

Crawl if there is smoke. Feel doors before opening (if hot do not open). Go to the nearest exit or exit stairway. Get out of the building.

If you get trapped:

Keep doors closed. Signal for help. A damp towel can help you breath

If your clothing catches fire:

Stop, Drop and Roll. Rolling smothers the fire.

To prevent fires:

Observe smoking policies. If you smoke, don’t smoke in bed or near flammable materials. Don’t smoke while intoxicated. Be careful when cooking. Stay nearby while appliances are on. Clean up grease and appliances as soon as possible and unplug all appliances when not in use. Be careful with electricity – only use laboratory tested (UL) appliances. Don’t overload outlets. Use a power strip with a circuit breaker, not an extension cord. Report or Replace damaged wire.