Fire raises concern for off-campus safety

In light of the recent apartment fire on Strathmore Road, several members of the Boston College community have expressed concern over the issue of off-campus safety. Fire department officials in particular stress the need for attentiveness on the part of new residents.

"The single biggest thing the fire department recommends is for people to use common sense," said a spokesman for the Boston Fire Department (BFD). "It sounds like a simple statement, but the vast majority of the fires we see are accidental."

For the majority of students living off campus this semester, this is their first time being on their own, without the watchful eye of their parents or the safety measures of the BC residence halls. And while there may not be any regulations on mattress pads or halogen lamps, tenants must still act responsibly, the BFD spokesman said.

"Practical things you learned growing up carry over," the BFD spokesman said. "A lot of times you're on your own and you have a sense of independence and invincibility but things can still happen - just use your head and don't do be doing things you wouldn't do at home."

The BFD also encourages students living together in off-campus apartments to come up with an evacuation plan in the case of an emergency.

"We tell this to families and it carries over to a bunch of roommates. If there's a place that has five people living in it, sit down for a minute and make a plan to meet across the street, that way we know if everyone's accounted for."

The BFD said, common causes of fires include faulty wiring, poorly-placed space heaters, misplaced cigarette butts, and appliances left unattended.

It is up to the landlord to ensure the property meets the building and fire codes, however, there are several preventative measures that can be undertaken by the tenants as well.

"It is up to the tenant to make sure that once they move in they have working smoke detectors and that they not create any hazards," the BFD spokesman said. "An example would be not to pile rubbish or trash that blocks the rear exit of their apartment - all those kinds of things would fall under the tenant to keep the place neat and clean."

Additionally, charcoal grills are not allowed on or within any structure, including a rear porch, and propane grills are not permitted above a first-floor balcony of any residency, according to City of Boston law. Residents are also encouraged to check that all appliances carry the seal of a testing laboratory and that all appliances are placed away from any combustible material.

The City of Boston requires that in multiple-unit dwellings, owners must schedule an appointment with the city's Inspectional Services Department (ISD) upon the occupation of an apartment by new residents. The inspections are to verify that residences are up to code and meet the minimum living requirements.

"They are looking for any violations which conflict with the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code," said William Good, spokesman for the ISD. "Anywhere from a crack in the wall or a crack in a pipe to more important issues of electrical wires hanging out of walls or ceilings."

Inspectors also check for functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, the latter of which are required in every residency under City of Boston law. Carbon monoxide poisoning is of particular concern in the winter, when there is limited ventilation and the possibility of fumes escaping the heating system.

"The code stipulates that owners or managers must maintain their apartment to a certain standard," Good said. "Inspectors take a look to be sure that standards are met, and if they are not met they get in touch with the owner to address the issue."

Despite the best intentions, accidents do still occur.

In the Office of the Dean of Student Development and the Office of Residential Life, staff members work with students residing off campus throughout the leasing process, and are there to provide assistance in the case that a student is forced to evacuate his or her apartment.

"We try to educate students as early as the sophomore year and talk in general terms about the kinds of places they should look at and what they should look for - fire safety and locks and things like that," said Paul Chebator, senior associate dean of student development.

Chebator said that on rare occasions, in the past students have been displaced for reasons ranging from fire damage to a partially collapsed roof due to water damage.

In those cases, Chebator said, "We would certainly try to assist them in getting placed wherever is available. We will try to create every opportunity for those students and to help out in any way we can."