New laws target campus housing fires.

• Position: YOUR LIFE - Brief article

As millions of young people head back to college, campuses all over the country--prompted by a number of recent lethal fires and resulting legislative action--are working to improve the safety of their student housing.

Legislation has been adopted in several states and the Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act is being considered by Congress. This is in reaction to an estimated 100 civilians injured each year in dormitory fires, reports the National Fire Protection Association.

"Campus fires can be especially heartbreaking because of the age of the victims and the often tragically high death toll," says Ken Rusk, vice president of No-Burn, Inc., a Wadsworth, Ohio, fire prevention company. "Sprinkler systems have saved countless lives, but they are still reactive devices, designed to contain or stop a fire already in progress. Many schools are now looking for proactive ways to stop a blaze before it starts.

"College administrators seeking to improve fire safety in their student housing...