Annual Safety Fair Targets Student Awareness

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo, in conjunction with the Office of Environment, Health and Safety Services and the Office of Student Life, will present its annual Safety Fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 11 in the Student Union on the North Campus.

Part of UB's September Welcome activities, the fair is held to inform students about personal safety through a variety of demonstrations and activities.

Among the presentation will be a "bedroom burn" featuring a "typical" college student's bedroom, complete with bed, linens, electronics, furniture, books and posters, that will be set on fire at 12:30 p.m. outside of the Student Union under the supervision of the Getzville Fire Department to demonstrate how quickly a fire can get out of control and engulf a living space.

Other presentations will include demonstrations of a crash simulator; goggles that allow the wearer to simulate different degrees of drunken driving; tours and demonstrations of the Office of Fire Prevention and Controls' sprinkler trailer; fire extinguisher training; and basic road safety, such as how to change a flat tire.

In addition, there will be information on cell phone awareness and safety, UB's new text-messaging alert system, alcohol education, violence prevention, food safety, suicide prevention, Operation ID/Textbook ID, the Linda Yalem Safety Run and the Anti-Rape Task Force, and presentations by representatives of Wellness Education Services, Twin City Ambulance, the Erie County Sheriffs Office, Erie County SMART and Hazardous Materials teams, Crisis Services and the Buffalo Fire Department, which will bring incendiary dogs.

The Safety Fair also will include a number of giveaways, including 220 smoke detectors that will be offered on a first-come basis to students living off campus, as well as popcorn, cotton candy, pizza and the raffle of merchandise contributed by UB Micro.

In addition to Environmental Health and Safety, Safety Fair 2007 is sponsored by Student Affairs, Campus Dining and Shops, Leadership Development Center, SBI/Health Education, University Libraries, University Police, the undergraduate Student Association and Wellness Education Services.

For more information, contact Lynda Burey of Environment, Health and Safety Services at 829-3070, ext. 19, or Mary Clare Fahey of the Office of Student Life at 829-2493.