Sleep Walking into Disaster: 300,000 students sleeping with food on the hob puts Halls of Residence at risk

Students are sleep walking into a potential disaster as they doze off with food on the hob or in the oven as hundreds of fires tear through halls of residence every year.

New research by Electrical Safety First reveals that 1 in 7 (15%) students in England and Wales admit to falling asleep with food cooking[1], the equivalent of almost 300,000[2], risking a potentially deadly electrical fire as many university newcomers are set to live away from home for the first time.

Latest figures unearth that 911 accidental electrical fires took place in student halls of residence in England alone between 2012 and 2017[3], the equivalent of five fires every week during a typical academic term[4]. The Charity found that over 80% of these fires took place in the kitchen[5] and a further 60% of these occurred at night[6].

Further research by the Charity reveals that, worryingly, the majority of students are getting behind the stove under the influence of alcohol with a startling figure of over half (56%) of students[7] admitting to cooking while drunk or after drinking. With Freshers’ Week set to take the country by storm, kicking off the academic year, Electrical Safety First is urging students not to ‘Drink and Fry’ to avoid the possibility of putting themselves and their fellow students at risk.

The Charity also looked into the reckless actions of students while at university gauging the book smart, kitchen careless behaviour they are guilty of with 1 in 4[8] (25%) admitting to putting a knife or fork into a toaster carrying with it a serious risk of electric shock and injury. A fifth[9] (20%) admitted to misusing the microwave by putting something inside it that shouldn’t be, either for fun or by mistake whilst almost three quarters[10] admit to having been distracted whilst cooking food, subsequently leaving it unattended.

With so many people living under one roof the danger careless behaviour poses is severe. Electrical Safety First also asked students how they feel about the behaviour of those living around them within their student accommodation revealing a staggering 61% of those surveyed have been fearful that others around them could start an electrical fire through their recklessness[11].

Emma Drackford, Director of Communications for Electrical Safety First commented: “With Freshers’ Week taking place all over the country we know how excited students starting the new academic year will be to celebrate. Yet those set to live independently for the first time are urged to take care in the kitchen when handling electrical appliances. With so many students admitting to taking to the stove under the influence of alcohol and a significant number falling asleep with food cooking we are warning students not to drink and fry. Those living in halls of residence are no doubt set to have a great time on their journey through university however with numerous people living collectively under one roof careless mistakes put every person in the building at risk. If in doubt this Fresher’s Week, order in.”

Kitchen carelessness in figures: what do students admit to doing in halls of residence?

• 1 in 4  students have put a knife or fork into a toaster[12]
• 1 in 5 admitted to leaving electric heaters on overnight or while they were out[13]
• 1 in 5 have put something into a microwave they shouldn’t either for fun or by mistake[14] with some students admitting to putting light bulbs and foil into the microwave[15]
• 1 in 10 have set a tea towel on fire by leaving it too close to the hob[16]
• 1 in 8 have left the oven on with the door open to warm the room up[17]

How to stay safe in your student accommodation:

• Don’t cook when drunk – although it may seem like a great idea to cook a fry up after a night of possible heavy drinking, don’t. The risk of falling asleep or forgetting about food on the hob is much more likely when you’re senses are dulled by alcohol.
• Ensure foil is removed from packaging before you place an item into the microwave.
• Do not leave tea towels or clothing near the hob when in use. In doing so you risk starting a fire that could spread rapidly.
• The top of a microwave might seem like a convenient place to throw things when you come back from a long day at university but when in use this area will conduct heat. This surface should be kept clear at all times.
• Never remove the batteries from your smoke detector. This life saving device will likely be the first warning you get should you need to evacuate the building during a fire.
• Their life, your hands – remember that you’ll be living with many other people in your building meaning reckless behaviour that could potentially start a fire not only puts you in danger but everyone else around you.

Students can get advice on staying safe in their accommodation via our website at:  www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/students

For more information, please contact:

Joshua Drew
Mobile: 07864 009875
Email: joshua.drew@electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

Editors’ Notes

• Electrical Safety First is a UK Charity dedicated to reducing and preventing damage, injuries and death caused by electricity. More information can be found at electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/students
• All consumer research, unless otherwise stated, was undertaken from 4th to 13^th September 2018 by Youth Sight with a sample of 1,136 students in England and Wales.  The figures are representative of all students in England and Wales.