The danger of fires in an apartment building is higher than in other buildings. A lot of people living in close quarters can significantly increase the danger of things catching on fire. There are a few things you can do to reduce this risk, and informing your residents will help. Take the time now to warn them about the dangers of fire in your building.

Put An Extinguisher In Every Apartment

Every apartment should have its own fire extinguisher. Surprise your residents this month with the gift of a new fire extinguisher and make it an annual holiday tradition. They will think it is fun, and you might save yourself a fire hazard. If you have extinguishers installed, they need to be tested every so often to be sure they are in working order. Make sure that these are checked by someone on a schedule to ensure that they are working.

Make An Evacuation Plan

Have an evacuation in plan for the whole building. Make residents aware of the plan and what they should do when the fire alarm goes off. Having a solid plan in place will ensure that everyone knows where to go and what to do if the time ever arises. Have a practice drill and inform residents ahead of time that they need to participate. That way you can answer any questions and be available to show them the best escape routes. The larger the building, the more complicated the plan probably will be.

Sweep The Chimney

If your apartments use a fireplace or wood-burning stove, have them swept and cleaned before the season starts. Smoke and soot from the fireplace build up in the chimney and can be a huge fire hazard. Have the chimneys swept at the end of a heating season or before the next heating season starts to avoid any chance of a fire. One benefit of having the chimney swept in the fall is that they can also check for any birds that may have built a nest in the chimney during the summer season. Old bird nests just need one little spark to fly up the chimney to set them on fire. If you install a cap on your chimney, you can avoid having birds getting into the structure in the first place.

Have A Policy In Place About Personal Heaters

Other dangers that come in the colder months come from residents who run their own portable heating units. You may want to make a policy that says they are not allowed in your apartment in order to avoid a fire hazard. Items like heating blankets or candles that get left alone can also increase the danger of fire. Educate your residents about these hidden fire hazards and keep everyone safe.

Taking the time now to inform your residents about the danger of fire can help you avoid one at a later date. A fire is every property manager’s worst nightmare, so avoid it at all costs. If you are looking for more property management solutions, check out Occupancy Solutions. We have a lot of great information and trainings for property managers and their teams to get your business off the ground.