Apartment Fire Safety

Smoke Alarms

• Test smoke alarms on a monthly basis.
• Change batteries on smoke alarms every six months.
• Never disable smoke alarms.
• Try to also have a carbon monoxide alarm in your residence.

Escape Plans

• Have two exits from every room in case of fire.
• Draw and practice your escape plan with residents of your apartment.
• Close doors behind you to block buildup of smoke and stop the spread of fire. Try to warn other neighbors when you can safely do so. When you have safely exited the building call 911.

Fire Lanes

• Keep any area in your complex marked FIRE LANE clear of any obstructions so emergency responders have clear access to the building.
• DO NOT block fire hydrants.

Electrical Safety

• Don’t run extension cords under carpets or rugs and never use any damaged electrical cords.
• Unplug all small appliances when they are not in use.
• Tripped circuit breakers shouldn’t be overlooked, they can be a sign of electrical problems. You should contact the owner or maintenance person when you have a problem occur.

Cooking

• Never leave burners on with food that is unattended.
• Keep all combustible materials away from cooking surfaces.
• Do not use grills on a balcony or within 10 feet of the building.
• Have an all purpose fire extinguisher and know how to use it.

Flammable products

• Keep matches and lighters away from the heat and where children can’t access them. Kids + Matches = FIRE!
• Paints, gasoline and thinners should never be stored indoors
• Don’t leave candles unattended. Use candles in an open area away from combustibles. Never leave children alone with lit candles.
• Never smoke in bed and discard cigarettes safely.