As part of Fire Prevention month, the University helped promote fire safety in the “Stop and Knock” campaign on October 14 -15.  The campaign targeted students who live in off Grounds rental housing in neighborhoods close to the University, including Venable, Lewis Mountain, and the JPA/Fontaine corridor.  Fire officials answered questions not only about smoke alarms and fire safety, but also regarding property maintenance issues and fire pits.
Representatives from the Charlottesville Fire Department, fire officials from U.Va.’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety, and the university-paid City Property Maintenance Inspector assigned to student housing went door-to-door meeting residents and providing educational materials and discussing concerns. Fire officials found four smoke alarms that needed battery replacement, and in several other cases, the Fire Department will follow up to install smoke detectors.
The teams distributed the Fire Safety 101 brochure and explained the benefits of smoke alarms, exit planning, property maintenance, and personal safety. 
The campaign was initiated in 2013 following a fire on Wertland Street ignited by an upholstered sofa on the front porch.  Fortunately, all eleven students asleep in the house successfully escaped through a rear exit.  Upholstered furniture on porches increases the risk of fire, and students were advised to remove them. 
The City and U.Va. offer ongoing fire safety resources for students who live off Grounds:
City Property Maintenance Inspector, (434) 970-3184 – students with a safety or building-related concern should first contact their landlord or property manager.  If issues are not corrected, contact Aaron Fabio, Property Maintenance Inspector, [email protected].
Charlottesville Fire Department, (434) 970-3240 – for questions about City fire/building codes or fire safety procedures.
U.Va. Fire Safety Program, (434) 982-4914 – for advice about fire safety, evacuation planning, or who to contact with other concerns, [email protected]
U.Va. Housing Office (434) 924-3736 – for questions or advice about off-Grounds housing or communicating with your landlord.
For more information, contact the University’s Office of Environmental Safety at (434) 982-4911.