September is Campus Fire Safety Month and Sullivan Hall residents got started around 1 a.m. to the tune of a fire alarm caused by students smoking a cigar on an upper level floor.

There were no confirmed injuries, however, there could have been. Over 700 people live in Sullivan Hall and the West Campus Housing office and the University Scholars Program are both based on the bottom floor. If the fire had been profuse, students in the 12-story building could have been harmed and there would have been thousands of dollars in property damage.

The incident at Sullivan should come as a warning to students that something as small as a cigar can still be a great safety risk. The RAs and the RD should look at a more involved approach to fire safety education, beyond trusting students to read forms. Campus Fire Safety Month is a great opportunity for Housing to work with the Fire Protection Office to teach residents in all residence halls about the danger and risk of fire, as well as the University’s policies regarding fire and smoking.

There is a reason the University and Housing have policies in place. All residents of Sullivan Hall are required to sign forms when they move in saying they have read and understand the fire rules and are aware of the sprinklers. Being proactive and informed is the first key to safety. Although going through fire drills and learning about the sprinkler systems in place seems boring to most students, but in situations like the one at Sullivan, it can expedite the evacuation process and save lives.

Fire safety is more than just about one student’s safety; it is about the safety of all students. Fire spreads easily, especially in hot, dry weather conditions, and would quickly spread beyond one suite in a residence hall quickly. Students need to be aware of their actions and the effects of their actions, whether they live in a residence hall, an apartment off campus or a house.