Springfield, IL – As students across Illinois move into dorms and apartments for the fall semester, state fire officials are reminding them of the dangers of unattended cooking — the leading cause of university housing fires.
According to the Illinois State Fire Marshal, roughly 85% of campus housing fires are caused by cooking. The office noted that more than 3,000 university cooking fires occur nationwide each year, with microwave popcorn fires being a common incident among students.
Fire officials urge students to follow basic safety steps such as never leaving food unattended, avoiding water on grease fires, and keeping microwave doors closed if a fire starts. The agency also stressed the importance of turning off burners when leaving the kitchen and only using propane or charcoal grills outdoors.
“Unattended cooking is the number one cause of campus housing fires,” the agency said in a statement shared Friday. “A few simple precautions can make the difference in keeping students safe.”
The U.S. Fire Administration also highlighted that frying poses the greatest risk, making it essential to use lids to smother grease fires rather than water. Students are further advised to avoid overloading circuits with electric appliances.
The campaign is part of a broader back-to-school safety push aimed at first-year college students, many of whom are living independently for the first time. Officials say raising awareness early in the semester helps prevent emergencies that can quickly endanger lives and property.
More safety resources for students can be found at www.usfa.fema.gov/college.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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