Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA)

Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA)

The Higher Education Opportunities Act (HEOA) of 2008 requires colleges and universities maintaining on-campus housing to compile fire data and issue an annual fire safety report. These reports include statistics on the number of fires, the cause of each fire, the number of injuries and deaths, and the value of property damaged. Reports include fire system descriptions, the number of fire drills, evacuation procedures, education and training programs, policies (appliances, smoking, open flames, and other potential hazards), and future fire safety improvement plans.

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Did You Know?

Candle fires are the fourth leading cause of campus fires behind cooking, arson, and smoking. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that 20 percent of university housing fires in bedrooms are started by candles.

Candles remain a key ignition source for campus fires despite the fact that candles are now banned at most colleges. More than half of all candle fires occur when a combustible material is too close to the candle, with the most common materials being bedding and curtains. Falling asleep is a factor in a quarter of candle fire fatalities — extinguish all candles before going to sleep.