Door Tag Idea: Fire Alarm Pull Stations

Submitted by Elizabeth Grant, Director of Monument Hall, Mesa State College

Being on Residence Life staff at Mesa State College for the past four years has given me tons of Door Tag/Name Tag ideas. My favorite idea that I have seen was a "free fire alarm pull". Basically the R.A. took and white paper and created a fire alarm pull station, with writing on it that said, “One free pull from your RA.” When the resident pulled the white tag down, inside was information about residence hall fires and fire safety, and the words “Don’t endanger other residents by pulling false fire alarms.” It was an excellent way to educate residents about fire safety and the importance on not pulling false alarms. It was a brilliant idea.

Educational Information for Your Pull Stations

An average of 1700 fires occur on college campuses annually. Don’t endanger other residents by pulling false fire alarms.

An average of 5 fires happen daily in campus residence halls. Don’t endanger other residents by pulling false fire alarms.

At Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, a malfunctioning laptop started a residence hall fire that was contained to one room. Don’t endanger other residents by pulling false fire alarms.

At the University of Dayton, a student lit a roll of paper towels on fire that killed another student on 12/10/00. Don’t endanger other residents by pulling false fire alarms.

Two students died at Ohio University after a fire started in an electrical power strip under a desk. Don’t endanger other residents by pulling false fire alarms.

Three students killed at Seton Hall University when a paper banner was ripped down, placed on a couch, and lit afire by another student. Don’t endanger other residents by pulling false fire alarms.

At the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, 2 students received minor burns when an aromatherapy candle left burning all night ignited a paper wrapper. Don’t endanger other residents by pulling false fire alarms.