5 Tips for Fire Safety in Apartments

In areas with high density like apartments in New York, there’s naturally a greater risk of various accidents. One of the most common—and dangerous—types of accidents is fire. A fire in your apartment could not only affect you, but your neighbors in the building and even other buildings nearby. Therefore, it’s essential to take actions to prevent fires in your apartment. Follow these five tips to mitigate that risk.

1. Be Careful When Cooking

Never leave an unattended stovetop. Be sure to turn off all burners and cooking equipment once you are done. Try to avoid baggy sleeves or clothes that could accidentally catch a handle of a pan or hang near a lit burner. Additionally, understand how to handle various different kinds of fires while cooking, such as grease fires and burning.

2. Check your Fire Extinguishers

Fire Extinguishers are required by Section 906 of the Fire Code. They must be placed in a noticeable location, not higher than 5 feet off the ground. Your landlord should have easily accessible fire extinguishers placed throughout the apartment building.

3. Install and Monitor Smoke Alarms

According to The U.S. Fire Administration, three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms. Installing smoke alarms is one of the best ways to prevent fires from happening or causing damage. Check the batteries annually and replace them right away when needed.

4. Inspect Home Appliances Regularly

Inspect the conditions of all electrical appliances, especially the ones found in the kitchen. Also, inspect cords and wires so that they do not overload a single outlet. Monitor the appliances if the cords are already worn out, they might cause fire later on.

5. Know and Practice Fire Emergency Procedures

Tenants must be well familiar with the location of the fire exits within the building as well as find out where the manual fire alarms are and know how to activate them. If your building has a fire escape, understand how to use and access it, and keep windows or doors leading to them clear from clutter. 

Negligent Landlord? Outerbridge Law can Help

Fire safety in apartments is no joke. If your landlord flaunts NYC laws about fire safety and one breaks out in your apartment, they could potentially be liable for the damages to your property. Here at Outerbridge Law PC, we have extensive experience dealing with this issue and ensuring that tenants’ rights are respected and upheld. If there’s been a fire in your apartment building due to your landlord’s negligence, contact Outerbridge Law today.