Fire safety

• The burning of incense, candles, sterno, kerosene or oil lamps, and use of non-safety matches is prohibited, even during a loss of electrical power. Even if unlit, these items are prohibited in the residence halls and theme houses because they pose a potential serious fire hazard. 
• Students are prohibited from creating or participating in a fire hazard or situation that endangers others, including but not limited to, arson and constructing an open fire without a permit. Fire pits are prohibited.
• State regulations require any residence hall curtains or draperies to be of fiberglass or other non-combustible material and that upholstered furniture be flame-retardant. Mattress pads with exposed foam, commonly in an “egg shape” are prohibited. 
• Light duty extension cords are prohibited (only UL approved heavy gauge extension cords with 3 prong connections are permitted).
• Appliances, such as hot plates, immersion heaters, electric space heaters, or any appliances with open heating elements are not permitted.
• Irons may only be used in laundry rooms.
• Cooking in student rooms is prohibited. Appliances such as crock pots, pressure cookers, air fryers, rice cookers, etc are prohibited in student rooms.
• The storage and use of Hoverboards and electric scooters is prohibited.
• Hookahs, electronic cigarettes, and other smoking or vaping devices are prohibited.
• The use of paper or other flammable items as decorations is forbidden around lighting fixtures, exit signs, on hall doors or ceilings of rooms. The use of live trees or wreaths is prohibited and caution should be used with any holiday decorations.
• Halogen lamps are prohibited.
• String lights that are battery operated and/or LED are permitted in individual residence hall rooms. These lights must not be wrapped around pipes, displayed over doorways, or near sprinkler heads, smoke detectors, or other forms of fire safety equipment. 
• Wall coverings cannot exceed 25% of total wall surface (per wall). Tapestries and other cloth banners are prohibited.
• No items can be hung from ceilings, lights, exit signs, pipes, or sprinkler heads, anything attached to the wall must be adhered at four corners.
• Furniture and personal belongings must be stored in areas clear from hallways and means of egress from an individual room, suite, or building. All doors must open more than 45 degrees to allow for appropriate entrance/exit from a room, suite, or building.
• Smoke detectors, located in each room, should not be covered or otherwise obstructed with any type of cloth or other decorative material.
• Tampering with fire detection and safety equipment, calling in false fire alarms, and possession of explosive or incendiary materials and devices are serious offenses subject to disciplinary action and/or criminal charges. The Norton Fire Department reserves the right to issue a $500 charge for responding to malicious false alarms. This charge will be assessed to the responsible parties or to the residents of the hall involved. Students found in possession of/or setting off fireworks or other incendiary devices are subject to a $100 fine and other possible disciplinary action by the college.
• Any resident who fails to evacuate a residence hall immediately after a fire alarm or refuses to cooperate with hall staff members and/or Campus Safety/Fire personnel, is subject to disciplinary action and may be suspended or removed from the residence hall.
• The storage of athletic equipment, bags, furniture, motor bikes, bicycles, automotive equipment, and other personal items in corridors and stairwells of College buildings and residence halls is prohibited.

Additional information about Wheaton College Fire Safety can be found on insideWheaton (login required).