C H I C A G O
F I R E
D E P A R T M E N T
C H I C A G O
F I R E
D E P A R T M E N T
Be prepared and know what to do in a fire situation:
• Be familiar with the building safety systems such as the floor plan, the location of all exits, and know the safest
stairwell for you to use in the case of an emergency.
• Apathy can put you in danger and ignoring fire alarms hinders evacuation and life saving operations.
• Know your neighbors and be aware of anyone with disabilities or special needs who may require
attention from fire personnel.
• Keep a flashlight and keys easily accessible.
If a fire occurs in your room:
• Leave immediately and close the door behind you, but DON’T LOCK IT. If you lock your door, firefighters
will have to break in.
• Exit from the safest stairwell and go down to a safe location. Once you reach a safe location call 911 and provide
the dispatcher with your address, floor and room number. This information will be given to the fire department.
• Once in the stairwell, move down to a safe location or lobby. Never go up stairs, and never go to
the roof because smoke and heat rise.
• Do not use elevators. They are to be used by the fire department only.
If a fire occurs in another room:
• Call 911 first and provide them with the building address, your location and the location of the fire.
• If you leave, take your keys and a flashlight with you. Before leaving feel the door with the back of your hand to
ensure fire conditions outside your room are not dangerous. If the door is hot to the touch DON’T leave, stay in place.
If the door is cool to the touch, open the door slightly and if smoke conditions are not dangerous go to the safest stairwell.
• If the door is hot to the touch and you stay in your room do not break the window. If smoke and heat start to
build up, open the window slightly. If your window does not open, stay low to the floor. Also, seal the door
by placing a wet towel at the bottom.
These are general guidelines to consider if a fire strikes in your building. Please remember that no two fires are alike,
all fires behave differently, and each may require a different response. Being prepared, remaining calm, and knowing
what to do in a fire situation can help save your life. Remember, alcohol or drug abuse often impairs judgment and
hampers evacuation efforts. Using clear rational judgment can save your life.
As part of the Chicago Fire Department’s ongoing commitment to keep you safe, we provide free fire and life safety
preparedness presentations and educational drills.
dorm life
SAFET Y BROCHURE
Dorm is defined as school, college and university dormitories, fraternity and sorority houses.
CHIC AGO FIRE D EPARTMENT PARTNER S:
To find out more about other free public education programs currently
provided, visit us on-line at www.cityofchicago.org/fire.
City of Chicago
Richard M. Daley
Mayor
•Columbia College
•DePaul University
•Loyola University
•Northwestern University
•Roosevelt University
•School of the Art Insititute
•Saint Xavier
• University of Chicago
Chicago Fire Department
Raymond Orozco
Commissioner
C H I C A G O
F I R E
D E P A R T M E N T
Life Safety Objectives:
"WE’RE THERE WHEN YOU NEED US."
• Call 911 first. When you call 911 make sure you provide accurate information such as
The Chicago Fire Department (CFD) Life Safety Program goal is to educate, train, and
instruct dormitory residents, resident advisors, residence directors, and employees
about life safety procedures.
address, unit or apartment number, location of the fire or potential emergency.
• Alert your dorm management/security office and other tenants.
• Listen for instructions from fire officials.
did you know?
• Move to safety or evacuate, only if you’re in immediate danger, otherwise stay where you are.
Depending on the location of the fire, you may be asked to move a few floors away from the fire floor.
• Over 40% of dormitory fires are caused by cooking equipment.
• Practice fire drills. When you practice fire
• Nearly 20% of dormitory fires are caused by open flame,
drills you learn how to safely exit your building and
ember, torch, lighter, or smoking materials.
learn what procedures you need to follow in case of
• The number of fires, deaths and injuries involving dormitories has
an emergency.
remained consistent for 20 years, while at the same time, overall fires,
• Learn cooking safety. Cooking equipment is
deaths, and injuries have dramatically declined.
the number 1 cause of dormitory structure fires.
• Over 75% of dormitory residents are under 23 years old.
Dormitory fires from cooking surpass all other
accidental means combined. Always clean, maintain
colleges and universities must have a P.L.A.N.
and unplug cooking equipment when done and
NEVER leave equipment unattended while cooking.
When an emergency strikes people tend to panic and not know what to do. Having a plan in place for emergencies will
increase your ability to avoid injury and act quickly. The Chicago Fire Department has come up with the acronym PLAN.
• Apathy is your enemy. Carelessness with smoking materials,
underestimating that fire is a risk in any dwelling, and ignoring fire
alarms will contribute to panic when an emergency arises. Your
personal safety is no joke and not cause for apathy.
Practice fire drills
Learn cooking safety
Apathy is the enemy
Never overload electrical outlets
Keeping calm in an emergency will lead you to safety because it allows you to think clearly
and take action. CALM, which stands for Call, Alert, Listen and Move always remember these
steps in case of a Fire.
• Never overload electrical outlets. Overloaded electrical
circuits and extension cords increase the risk of fire. Unplug or
place seldom-used electrical items on a common power strip that is
kept off, when not in use.
safety tips
• Make sure you have a working smoke detector
• Know the locations of all stairways on your floor
• Check stairway for heat and/or smoke
conditions before entering
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Take your key and a flashlight with you
If a fire occurs in your unit LEAVE IMMEDIATELY!
Make sure you close the door behind you
When you reach a safe area call 911, THEN
alert building security
• Candles, smoking materials, incense must NOT
be left unattended