CHARLESTON – The Center for Campus Fire Safety has designated September as National Campus Fire Safety Month.

In West Virginia from January 2000 to December 2008, there were 96 reported fires, with one fire death and more than half-a-million dollars in total estimated property loss from fires in college housing.

College students and young adults are urged to take the following safety precautions:

Keep tall furniture and decorations away from all automatic fire sprinkler heads.

Never hang anything from fire sprinklers.

Cook only where permitted and never leave cooking unattended.

If fire starts in a microwave, keep the door closed and unplug the unit.

After a party, check furniture and cushions for smoldering cigarettes.

More information is available at www.campusfiresafety.org.