Fire is one of the most dangerous risks in any residential setting. This is particularly true when you live in an apartment with other families living in close proximity. The more people there are in one area, the greater the risk is for a fire starting.
We’ve gathered 3 tips that will help you prevent fires and keep yourself and your family safe if there is a fire in your apartment. Also be sure to check out our Common Causes of Fires and Prevention Tips blog article for more information.
Having a working smoke detector is one of the most important fire safety tips for apartment renters and homeowners alike. In many major fires, you and your family will have only a short window of time to get out safely. A working smoke detector can be the difference between life and death. You should check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly and replace the batteries in them at least once or twice each year. You should also keep an eye on smoke detectors located in the hallways and around other areas of your apartment building to ensure they are working properly. If you notice detectors around the building beeping, notify your apartment’s community management so they can address it.
Using caution to prevent fires from occurring is always important. Some risks are obvious such as an open flame, while other risks are less obvious. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Sometimes despite our best precautions fires still happen. Every family should have a fire emergency safety plan, and every member of your family should know your plan and practice it regularly. Being prepared in the event of a fire is the best way to ensure your family doesn’t panic and gets out safely. Your family will need to have a plan for how each member of the family will get out, where family members will meet once outside, and know what to do if part of their plan is blocked by smoke and fire. If your apartment building already has established fire evacuation procedures, make sure you read and know these procedures. You also should know where manual fire alarms are located throughout your apartment building so you can activate one to alert other residents of the building if needed.
More Tips: Fire Safety Resource Guide
Contact your licensed and independent insurance agent at Magruder Insurance to ensure you are properly covered with a renter’s insurance policy. Many multi-family property insurance policies are built to protect the value of the building, but do not include adequate coverage for a tenant’s belongings. The renter insurance professionals at Magruder Insurance can help. Call us at 813-654-3100 or contact us online today!