With another school year just around the corner, many students are finalizing their hunt for residence or off-campus housing. As a critical part of that process, a Canadian campus fire safety group says parents should do more to ensure their kids are safe from fire and carbon monoxide threats when they hit the books at university and college.

Knowfire.ca, a one-of-a-kind web site collaboration between Brock University, Niagara College and all fire departments in the Niagara region, was created to inform students and parents about how to avoid, respond to – and escape from – fires that may occur on or off-campus. The collaborative community partnership was inspired by a fire that burned an off-campus rental property to the ground. All five students escaped safely, in part due to a responsible landlord who had installed brand new smoke alarms before school started.

The www.knowfire.ca web site hosts eight professional videos produced by students for students, and their parents. Each targets a different but very real campus fire safety threat. Funds were raised through a unique public/private sector partnership that saw the Niagara regional fire services, Brock University, Niagara College and companies such as Kidde Canada and Duracell support the cause.

“Yes, campus residences typically have fire safety systems, and yes, there are laws outlining the responsibility landlords have in providing fire protection for their tenants,” says Donna Gill, Divisional Chief of Communications for the St. Catharines fire department. “But, no, parents are not being vigilant enough. They need to double-check that all smoke alarms are working. They need to make sure any smoke alarm over 10 years old is replaced. And parents also need to warn their kids about the dangers associated with taking smoke alarms down or removing batteries to quiet false alarms.”

Prevention and school housing officials say the potential for tragedy is very real.

“Think about student life...long hours, cooking, candles, parties, smoking, alcohol,” Inspector Gill says. “The only peace of mind a parent can get is knowing their child is safe. Saying good bye is tough, but never drive away without checking every smoke and CO alarm first.”

She adds, “Sure, you might hear “You're sooo embarrassing!” But it's a small price to pay for knowing your child will have early warning to any fire.”

Campus safety videos can be seen at www.knowfire.ca and more fire protection information is available at www.safeathome.ca.