RALEIGH -- Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Wayne Goodwin is reminding North Carolinians about fire safety on college campuses as students return to school.

"Students are returning to campus and, even though it is an exciting time, some students don't realize how quickly a fire can occur in their new environment," said Goodwin. "It is important to be aware of common fire causes such as cooking, candles, smoking materials and electrical equipment."

September has been declared Campus Fire Safety Month in North Carolina as an effort to raise fire and life safety awareness on college campuses.

Since 2000, at least 89 fatal fires have occurred nationally on college campuses, in fraternity or sorority housing, or in off-campus housing within three miles of the campus. These fires claimed 126 lives.

The National Fire Protection Association provides these campus and dorm safety tips for college students:

Look for fully fire sprinkler-equipped housing.

Make sure there are fire alarms in each bedroom and outside every sleeping area.

Test all smoke alarms monthly.

Never remove batteries or disable an alarm.

Learn your building's evacuation plan and practice all drills.

If you live off campus, have a fire escape plan with two ways out of every room.

Stay in the kitchen when cooking.

Use a surge protector for your computer and plug the protector directly into an outlet.

For more information, visit The Center for Campus Fire Safety at www.campusfiresafety.org and the National Fire Protection Association at www.nfpa.org.

--NCDOI--