Student Accommodation

Someone living in rented or shared accommodation is seven times more likely to have a fire. 

With many young people leaving home for the first time to go to university and rent in student halls or a shared home, we want you to know how to keep you and your housemates fire safe.  

Please read our top five fire safety advice for students. 

All universities and colleges have a person responsible for fire safety in buildings owned by them.  

Check what the fire safety rules are in your accommodation  

Pay attention to fire drills and never ignore alarms. 

Test your smoke alarms regularly and replace the batteries straight away if there is a low battery warning.  

If you live in privately rented accommodation, your landlord must meet certain fire safety obligations under the law. Read more 

More than half of the house fires we attend start in the kitchen but there are ways of reducing the risk by following our advice:  

• CLEAR – Keep tea towels, cloths and electrical leads away from the oven and hob.  
• OVEN – Switch off the oven and hob when you’ve finished cooking and remove pans from the heat.  
• OIL – A build-up of cooking oil/grease can increase the risk of cooking fires so clean regularly.  
• KEEP – Keep looking when cooking. 

Read more safety advice for cooking 

 If you smoke, you are at a higher risk of having a fire in the home. Smoking is the biggest cause of fatal fires.  

• The best way to reduce your risk of fire as a smoker is to not smoke indoors 
• Make sure cigarettes are properly extinguished when you have finished smoking 
• Never smoke in bed. There are so many things that can catch fire in a bedroom – it’s just not worth the risk. 

Read more safety advice for smokers 

• Don’t overload plug sockets and remember to switch off any electrical equipment off before leaving the house or going to bed. 
• Electrical devices, cable or plug sockets are damaged don’t use them and make sure you buy a replacement charger from a reliable and reputable brand 
• Don’t place portable heaters too close to bedding, curtains and clothing – anything which could catch fire and never use portable heaters to dry clothes! 

Read more about electrical safety  

• Make sure candles are secured in a stable candle holder keeping them away from anything that may catch fire like curtains, or loose-fitting clothes  
• Always put out candles, incense sticks and oil burners before leaving the room  

Read more about candle safety