The Canadian Standards Association is taking into account the sometimes quirky behaviour of college and university students in its list of back-to-school safety tips.

Students are advised against using a Bunsen burner to cook meals in dorm rooms. (istock)Along with the standard advice to test smoke detectors in dorm rooms come tips such as not using a laboratory Bunsen burner for cooking food in one's room.

Hot plates are recommended instead, as long as students remember not to leave them unattended and follow campus rules for cooking appliances.

Space heaters may also cause problems for students, according to the CSA.

"Space heaters are designed to heat a chilly dormitory room, not to dry clothes, heat food, or warm your bed," CSA warns.

Mindful that students like electronics and gadgets, the association offers plenty of advice on the use of extension cords. They should never be run through a doorway or under a carpet, and if a cord gets hot, it should be unplugged.

Students are advised that when unplugging an electrical cord, they should pull the plug, not the cord.

The CSA also offers tips on decorating a dorm room.

"Avoid hanging decorations on or near objects like fire sprinklers, fire extinguishers, exit corridors or exit signs," states the CSA. "Use only insulated fasteners. Never use nails, staples or tacks."

When it comes to shopping, the association advises students to avoid buying potentially unsafe microwave ovens, hot plates, mini-fridges and MP3 docking stations.

On that point, the CSA promotes its own services: "Avoid electrical products that are missing a certification mark from an accredited certification organization, such as CSA International."

The Canadian Standards Association provides product testing and certification for electrical, mechanical, plumbing and other consumer items.