Fire Safety

Fire Safety is a crucial part of Housing & Residence Life at Cal Poly Humboldt to protect the lives and property of residents and staff members.

Residential fires are the most common fires in the United States, and they claim more lives than any other type of fire.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), an estimated 3,800 university housing fires occur yearly in the United States. The leading causes of campus-related fires are as follows:

Cooking (hot plates, microwaves, portable grills, etc.)
Arson
Careless smoking
Unattended candles
Overloaded extension cords, power strips, and outlets

Housing & Residence Life at Cal Poly Humboldt has established policies, procedures, and regulations to prevent fires in the residence halls.

Appliances

No cooking can occur in bedrooms.
All appliances must be UL-approved and plugged directly into an outlet.

Allowed in Kitchen Area of Residence Halls, Apartments & Suites

Electric Fry Pans
Toasters
Toaster Overs
Rice Cookers
Air Fryers
Blenders

Allowed in the Laundry Room

Irons

Never Allowed on Campus

Open Coil Space Heaters

Candles & Other Flammable Materials

Anything with an open flame or that burns, including candles (burnt or unburnt), wax melters /warmers, and incense, is prohibited.

Burnt candle — Candles (burnt or unburnt) or incense is prohibited.

Liquid fluid, gasoline, or other flammable materials are prohibited. Possession of flammable liquids could result in removal from Housing on a first offense.

Butane torch and propane tank — Possession of a butane torch or a propane tank will result in removal from Housing.

Power Strips/Surge Protectors

Only UL-approved Power Strips are allowed. Power strips must be directly connected to an outlet. Surge protectors must have the following:

On/off switch
Able to be reset (usually a button or part of the on/off switch)
No movable parts (no bending or flexible elements)
No Daisy Chaining (power strips being plugged into other power strips)

non-fused electric outlet — Non-fused electric outlet multiplying devices may not be used under any circumstances (gang plugs). They do not have a built-in circuit breaker or an on/off switch.

Use power strips instead of extension cords. Extension cords must have a built-in circuit breaker and an on/off switch.

Visual of correct power strip usage — Power strips should not hang by the cord. Must be supported by the floor or other surface.

Room Decorations

Draperies and tapestries must be treated with fire retardant, fastened flat against the wall with no air pockets, and may not hang suspended from doorways or ceilings.