Fire Safety in the School Science Labs

When students learn about science, they often perform experiments with equipment that can be potentially dangerous, such as Bunsen burners, chemicals and alcohol lamps. Students need to know how to use lab equipment carefully so that they do not start a fire.

Behavior

• Students in a school laboratory should not put their hands, arms or other parts of their body over or near a flame. They also should not push or shove each other or have food or drinks near a flammable device.

Equipment Handling

• Students should wear protective gloves when they are removing an object from a flame or a hot device, especially if the object is warm, according to the Utah State 7th Grade Integrated Science Core Curriculum.

Safety Equipment and Clothing

• Students should wear their hair pulled back and pull up their sleeves if they are wearing a long-sleeved shirt. They also need to wear safety goggles, lab aprons, closed-toed shoes and/or other safety equipment when in the laboratory.

Surfaces

• Students should clean up lab surfaces after using them so that chemicals or other materials cannot start a fire later.

Teacher's Role

• Teachers need to teach students how to handle heating devices. They also should prepare certain solutions that are more flammable and know the location and functions of emergency equipment.

First Aid

• If a student sustains a minor burn, he should move to an area where he can apply water to his burn for 10 minutes or more, according to California State University-Northridge. More serious burns require medical attention.