A dorm room went up in flames and a car flipped over, ejecting its plastic passengers out the windows yesterday, as part of the annual Safety Fair.
The Getzville Fire Department was present to conduct a demonstration on fire extinguishers and fire alarms. Students received information about fire prevention and the advantages of having sprinkler systems in buildings. Students living off campus were also given free fire detectors.
The event highlight was the burning of a mock dorm room and students gathered around a display featuring a fully furnished and decorated room as firefighters set it on fire with a single candle.
The simulation emphasized how quickly a dorm room can become engulfed in flames. The room was completely ablaze in under a minute, and was put out in just over three.
"It really just shows you how quickly it spreads and the importance of the fire alarms," said Katie Hranek, a sophomore exercise science major.
Clara Papke, a freshman undecided major, was impressed by the demonstration and shaken up by how fast the fire spread.
"If you stay in there, you could be damaged just as much as everything in that room," Papke said.
New York State Troopers brought a rollover car crash simulator to the event. Students stood nearby and watched as a car rolled over and dummies flew out the windows, recreating a real accident.
The simulations were designed to show the necessity of learning about student safety on and off campus.
According to Mary Clare Fahey, coordinator of Student Life off-campus services, the most important thing for student to remember is to always be aware of their surroundings and to stay alert.
"(Students) have to be conscious about safety in every aspect of their life," Fahey said.
Students can go to the SBI for information relating to disease prevention and testing or the Counseling Services for a place to talk.
Also discussed was the University's Anti-Rape Task Force, a program allowing students to be escorted from various places on and off campus. The UB libraries were also present to advocate staying aware of ones surroundings and preventing on campus theft of personal items.
According to Clare, the booths covered a variety of safety aspects so that every student could find a topic of interest.
"There are things for off-campus students, and things for on campus students," she said.
There were several new additions to the event this year, Clare said.
Raffles and giveaways were held to encourage students to stop by on their way to classes.
Students especially enjoyed stumbling around the SU lobby with drunk-vision goggles on, which simulated the perception of someone under the influence of alcohol.
"It showed things I hadn't really thought about before," said Allie Smith, a freshman undecided major.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
