A government report finds college dorm fires are on the rise. This comes just as many students are back on campus. Students and parents need to be aware of ways to keep that home away from home safe.

UNO student Matt Nash is happy to be back in the dorms on campus. "I meet a lot of people, it really helps with studying as well, you can meet a lot of people that are in your same major and then can help you out or you can help them out."

When the senior first moved into the dorms as a freshman, like most students, safety wasn't on his mind. "It didn't cross my mind as much before I was an R.A., but some of the things that I've seen and heard about."

Safe college housing crossed a lot of minds last year when a fraternity house caught fire killing one student at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln. The house did not have a sprinkler system.

"Notice the sprinkler systems throughout here in the common areas as well as the bedrooms," said UNO Property Manager Jonathan Orlich. "The strobe lights for when the fire system is activated."

It's obvious these rooms are full of safety features, but still, accidents happen. "Kitchen items, if someone isn't used to working with, you know, cooking and stoves, ovens. We get a lot of pizza burns and things like that," added Orlich.

Kitchen equipment is blamed for 72% of dorm fires according to the National Fire Protection Association, but most fatal dorm fires start in sleeping areas.

Also, most dorm fires happen during the evening and weekends. It's just one more thing parents can look out for as their student heads for the dorm.

“They could really keep an eye on what is common sense to bring and not to overload circuits and bring those halogen lights and the different fire hazards that you might see," said Orlich.

What things are most often connected to starting dorm room fires? Some of the things mentioned in that government warning are stoves, portable grills, candles and hot plates, along with portable heaters, halogen lamps, overloaded electrical outlets and power strips. Things you should avoid or keep a very close eye on in a dorm room.