As students head back to their halls of residences and prepare for another university term, we want to make sure they stay safe whilst away from home.
We have been working closely with universities including the University of Southampton to ensure students are aware of how they can stay safe.
Our close relationship saw our St Mary’s firefighters conduct a training exercise at one of their vacant student blocks in August, ensuring they are prepared if an incident were to arise there.
The crews will be returning to deliver important safety messaging at the university’s Glen Eyre and Wessex Lane halls on the 6th and 7th October, as part of the Res Life Fairs which help new students settle in and find support.
Community Safety Development Officer, Kelly Hedges said:
“Once again we’re supporting student fire safety week to help those coming to study within Hampshire and Isle of Wight, do so safely.
“Many of those arriving will be cooking for the first time away from home, and bringing with them a number of lithium-ion battery products, whilst also venturing out into a new city whilst drinking.
“All of these present risks which is why we are working with our local universities to ensure that their students know how to prevent and avoid potentially dangerous situations.”
Our COOK campaign which has launched across Southampton, shares simple effective kitchen safety guidance with helpful recipes, which is ideal for those living away from home and cooking for the first time.
No student is ready for university without a laptop, and alongside their mobile phones and tablets, they will be arriving at their new accommodations kitted out with plenty of lithium-ion battery products.
If not charged or looked after properly these products can be a fire risk. Find out how to use and store your electrical items so they remain safe.
We are also supporting the Royal Life Saving Society’s ‘Don’t Drink and Drown’ campaign, which focuses on reducing the number of substance-related drownings across the UK and Ireland.
3 in 4 young adult drinkers think it is okay to drink alcohol and get into the water.
The campaign uses the tagline ‘Be A Mate’ and calls for friends to look after and help each other get home safely, and away from waterways.
Station Manager Pete McClemont said:
“We are aware of the large student population we welcome to the city each year.
“That is why it is so important for us to build a strong relationship with our universities in order to reach the student audience and help prevent incidents.
“Conducting training exercises on their sites allows us to become familiar with the buildings, ensuring we are best prepared to respond should an incident occur there.
“We are also working with Southampton City Council and the Miracle Street Charity to house their bus, which will be out and about across the city during the evenings doing an incredible job in offering support to students on nights out.”
The bus, which is kitted out with charging and hot drink facilities, will be located in the city’s nightclub hotspots during freshers week, and is open to those who need support, such as if lost, had too much to drink, need help when newly away from home, or just as a safe space to wait for a taxi home.
Due to its proximity to the city centre, St Mary’s Fire Station will house the vehicle during the day, ahead of its crucial work in the evening.
