Home fires are one of the deadliest problems for renters, homeowners, and families. Approximately 3,400 people are killed in house fires each year. House fires are the third-most-common cause of accidental deaths at home. With a high risk of house fires due to renters, how can property owners protect their investments and keep tenants safe? People often think the accident is something they can avoid and it’s not until it’s too late that they realize they did not do enough to prevent it. Keyrenter East Bay is here to help you and your renters protect the property from fires and keep tenants safe.
Fire Alarm Safety
While a lot of people disable fire alarms in homes because the battery can beep and become annoying, fire alarms do play a critical role in keeping people safe. New smoke alarms should be installed in the home every 10 years to ensure it is up to code and will work effectively.
Practice Fire Drills
Encourage your tenants to perform fire drills with their loved ones to keep them safe in the event of a fire. A fire drill is one of the best ways to help families with younger children know what to do and where to go if there is a fire.
Escape Routes
Always provide your tenants with proper escape routes and fire extinguishers. If you have a property with multiple levels, offer emergency fire escape ladders to the tenants to help them escape the building if there is a raging fire. Providing fire extinguishers is another important thing to do as they can come in extremely handy if there is a fire.
Cooking Safety
Discuss cooking safety with your tenants. Stovetop cooking is the leading cause of house fires. Do you have fire extinguishers in the kitchen of your rental units? Have you taught tenants how to use the fire extinguishers or do they have clear instructions on how to use them?
Inspect the Heating System
While the stove is the number one cause of house fires, the heating system is not far behind. It is important to have the HVAC system inspected annually to check for concerns with the furnace. A cracked gas line can lead to serious problems from fires to gas poisoning. Older furnaces should be replaced as they can easily lead to fires. Space heaters and window curtains that come in contact with a space heater are other common causes of house fires.
Smoking
A major concern for a lot of property owners is having tenants that smoke. Not only does the odor cause problem with cleaning the unit in the future, smoking is a major fire hazard. Smokers often lose track of the smoldering butts, which are kindling for just about any surface in the home. It is important to have a clear policy in place related to smoking and your rental property if you want to reduce the risk of house fires. For more tips on how to deal with house fires, contact Keyrenter East Bay today.
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