If you’re renting out an apartment, the last thing you will want to deal with is an apartment fire.
If you’re currently renting out an apartment, the last thing you will want to deal with is an apartment fire. While you might have all of your belongings covered under some rental insurance policy, that does not recover some sentimental items and doesn’t prevent your health from being affected. Freak accidents happen, but if you take the time to learn the most common causes for apartment fires and how you can avoid the, you can go a long way in protecting yourself, your belongings, and your family. Read on to learn about the top causes of apartment fires.
Unattended Fires: Candles and Smoking
Smoking-related fires are one of the most dangerous types of apartment fires. Smoking accounts for only about 8% of apartment fires, but 35% of all apartment fire casualties. The high mortality rate is the result of people being asleep while smoking and igniting flammable beds. Like smoking, candle fires are much more deadly than they are common, and for all the same reasons. People ignite candles at night, when it is dark, and go to sleep, leaving the flames unattended. Candle fires are much more common during the Fall and Winter when the holiday festivities include candles and other flammable decorations.
Cooking
Cooking fires are the top causes of apartment fires. Cooking fires are the reasons for five times as many fires as the number two reason: arson. They are also the cause for half of all multifamily building fires. Stovetop firestops are an excellent first line of defense against cooking fires. Water is ineffective for stopping grease fires; in fact, water might even spread and exacerbate the flames. Stovetop firestops are affordable, easy to install and do a lot less damage than traditional sprinklers once triggered.
Arson
Arson accounts for a tenth of apartment fires. Arson includes both intentional fires started by someone, and accidental fires began by children. Criminal arson is hard to prevent; unintentional fires started by kids are much more preventable. Ensure that tenants are aware of the need to keep flammable materials away from their kids; keep lighters and matches in a safe and secure spot.
Heating
Fires from a heating device are much less frequent in multifamily buildings than in single-family houses. This is because apartment complexes usually have central heating. If your building doesn’t provide central heating, you should take extra precautions to ensure the safe use of tenants’ personal heating devices. Heaters shouldn’t ever be in contact with, or around flammable materials.
The Apartments of Wildewood have a friendly community that’s waiting to welcome you!
At The Apartments of Wildewood, located in beautiful in St. Mary’s Maryland, we offer homes with access to pools, an on-site gym, and maintenance whenever you need it – and have access to all the information you need to affordably rent an apartment in St. Mary’s. To set up an appointment to check out an apartment or townhouse rental from The Apartments at Wildewood, call us at 301.737.0737 or visit the website!
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