Fire Prevention for Your Apartment

Fire proofing is important, and it is especially important for residents in an apartment complex. You’re not only protecting your life, but you’re protecting the lives around you. More than 75 percent of all fire fatalities occur in home fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Apartment fires have the potential to spread fire, heat and smoke throughout your building, which affects the safety of all residents. There are several ways to prevent a fire and be prepared for an emergency. Use this guide to get you started.

Smoke alarms. Install smoke alarms on every floor, at the least. If possible, place a smoke alarm outside of every sleep area in your apartment. Test your smoke alarms once a month, and remember to change the battery at least once a year, even if the battery is not dead.

Evacuation plan. Be aware of your building evacuation plan. Locate the nearest fire escape and be aware of the directions to the safety exit. If these locations are not clearly marked, speak to your building manager to ensure the exits are properly marked. Identify two primary routes you can take in case of a fire.

Fire extinguisher. A proper fire extinguisher is a must-have for your apartment. Knowing how to use one is just as important. View this video or read these steps to learn the proper way of using a fire extinguisher.

Cooking. This is one of the major causes for apartment fires. Make sure your counter tops are free of clutter. Towels, paper products and plastic bags should be kept at least three feet away from the stove. While cooking, avoid wearing loose clothing that can brush up against a burner and ignite into flames. Never leave cooking food unattended as grease fires can erupt quickly and move fast. If a fire starts in a pan, carefully cover it with a lid or another pan. Never place that pan under water.

Space heaters. Heaters are the second most common cause of fires in apartment buildings. Keep clothing, bedding and furniture at least a foot away from portable or baseboard heaters. Be sure to check the wiring on your heater.

Appliances. Keep small appliances unplugged when you are not using them. Additionally, do not run your clothes dryer when you are sleeping or away from home, and remember to clean the lint filter after each use. Also, avoid leaving your dishwasher running while you are away from your apartment. The heating coils that dry your dishes could melt plastic food containers and cause a fire. If you have electrical cords running through your apartment, be sure to check to make sure they haven’t frayed over time.

Smoke. If you must smoke indoors, be mindful of where you are smoking. Avoid smoking when you are drowsy or already in bed. Don’t put ashtrays on sofas or chairs and extinguish all smoking materials when you leave a room.

Candles. Do not leave lit candles unattended in a room. Also, do not place lit candles near furniture, drapes, bedding and anything else that may catch on fire. Before going to bed at night, make sure all of the candles are out.

Additional resources. For more information on how to prevent a fire in your apartment, view the U.S. Fire Administration’s website.