Cooking, Electrical & Space Heater Safety

Cooking Safety

• Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stove. Turn off the stove, even if you leave the kitchen for a brief time.
• Wear short, close-fitting, or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking.
• Position barbecue grills at least 10 feet away from siding and deck railings, and out from under leaves and overhanging branches. 
• Always keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
• Grease fires typically occur when oil or fats reach their ignition point and come into contact with an open flame, leading to a rapid and potentially dangerous combustion.
  • When dealing with grease fires, never use water. Instead, cover the flames with a lid or metal baking sheet and turn off the heat source to safely extinguish the fire. If the fire doesn't extinguish, exit the house and call 911 or UMPD at 413-545-3111.

Space Heaters

Space heaters are permitted on campus, however they must adhere to the following guidelines:

• Space heaters must be fan-driven and electrically powered, not exceeding 120 volts. Heated coil, propane, and kerosene heaters are prohibited.
• The device must be UL listed, indicating it has been tested for safety and includes protective features to lessen the risk of burn or fire hazards. 
• It must be thermostatically controlled with an overheating automatic shutoff feature.
• It must be equipped with automatic shutoff if it is knocked over. 
• Space heaters must be plugged into a wall receptacle or surge protector. Do not plug space heaters into extension cords.
• All devices must be turned off when the area is unoccupied.
• It must be placed visibly and at least 3 feet from combustible materials. It should not touch other objects. 
• Hot plates and toaster ovens are not to be used as space heaters, they are permissible only for their intended uses.

If you are unsure about your campus space heater, you can request an inspection and consultation on fire prevention tips by submitting a Facilities & Campus Services Routine Maintenance Request.

Electrical & Appliance Safety

• Frayed wires can cause fires; replace all worn, old, or damaged appliance cords immediately. 
• Do not run cords under rugs or furniture.
• If an appliance has a 3-prong plug, it is only in a 3-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a 2-slot outlet or extension cord.
• Extension cords must be heavy gauge and are designed for temporary use, not to be used as a permanent or prolonged source of power.
• Do not daisy-chain cords, power strips, and/or surge protectors. Daisy-chaining is connecting several devices together - this can cause overloading and start a fire.
• If you are on campus and there are not enough outlets in your space, submit a Routine Maintenance Request and Facilities & Campus Services will explore additional options.