NFPA, Center Host Online Campus Fire Safety Quiz; Aims To Raise Awareness On Cooking-Related Fires On Campuses

Do you know that the U.S. Fire Departments respond to an average of 3,970 structure fires in school-related properties every year? As a matter of fact, almost 71 percent of these school-related property fires started in the cooking area or kitchen of dormitories, sorority and fraternity houses and other on-and-off-campus housing.

In addition, almost 86 percent of structure fires in college campuses are linked to kitchen appliances. Based on the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) recent report titled, "Structure Fires in Dormitories, Fraternities, Sororities and Barracks," modern dormitories are more at risk for cooking-related fires due to its in suite-design apartments.

To celebrate the Campus Fire Safety Month this September, the NFPA, in partnership with The Center for Campus Fire Safety (The Center), will be hosting an online Campus Fire Safety Quiz & Sweepstakes (Quiz). The Quiz, which will be available online from Sept. 1 to 30 on The Center's website, is the organizations' second national campaign that aims to raise awareness about the dangers of cooking fires among college campuses and other school-related housing.

The quiz called, "What Kind of Cook are You in the Kitchen?," will reportedly make students aware of unsafe practices, as well as make them learn the proper and safe ways to cook meals, which could reduce the risks of fires and fire-related injuries. According to NFPA Outreach and Advocacy vice president Lorraine Carli, the campaign will also encourage students to learn about the preventive measures in cases of fire.

Aside from the students, the campaign also aims to educate parents and educators about the dangers of unsafe cooking. Meanwhile, the organizations also revealed that the students who can complete the Quiz will enter a sweepstakes raffle. Two winners will then be randomly picked to win a $500 American Express gift card.

So, are you ready to take the Quiz? For more additional information about NFPA and The Center's campaign, please check out the Campus Fire Safety website.