THE KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF STUDENTS TOWARDS FIRE SAFETY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to identify the knowledge and attitude of students towards fire safety in the University of Benin. The research was carried out as a survey research using relevant literature from journals, magazines, books and the internet. Four research questions were raised and analyzed for the purpose of the study. A sample random sampling technique was used in selection of 200 university of Benin students from 4 faculties. The data were collected with questionnaire instrument and analyzed using simple percentage. The result revealed that; university of Benin students have knowledge of fire safety even though they have not attended any sensitization program about fire on campus or even have the fire emergency numbers, students in the University of Benin has positive attitude towards fire safety, the factors that contributes to fire outbreaks in school hostels are indiscriminate burning of refuses cause fire in the halls of residence, smoking, the use of hot plates and unattended leakages of electrical wire can cause fire in the halls of residence and apart from a quick and prompt fire service response system, regular inspection and maintenance of electrical installations, fires safety device are grossly inadequate in the halls of residence. Based on the results, it was recommended that there should be periodic stimulated fire drill in the University to ensure that students are prepared for any fire emergencies, the University authorities should have a fire safety officer in each hall of residence that will see to the day to day fire safety operation of the hostel and finally, the University authorities should make it mandatory for firefighting equipments to be place at strategic position in the schools premises.