Guide for Preventing and Preparing for Fires in an Apartment
By Ryota Masaki
Dense residential buildings like apartments and condominiums house many people in a small location. One mistake by a resident can turn into a deadly situation for the rest of the tenants at the apartment. Tenants should purchase some safety items when moving into an apartment and take some basic precautions.
Smoke Detectors and Fire Alarms
An item that every apartment unit should have is an electronic smoke detector. Smoke detectors should be placed on the ceiling near sleeping quarters so they can be heard if a fire erupts in the apartment. Smoke detectors should also be inspected annually to ensure proper battery levels and functionality.
Many apartments do not inspect smoke detectors, so it is important for every tenant to make sure that their smoke detector is functioning properly.
Fire Extinguishers
If a fire does occur, having a fire extinguisher ready can be a life and property saving item. Fire extinguishers can be purchased from many hardware and grocery stores. Tenants should inspect their extinguishers often to make sure that it is properly charged and able to be used.
All fire extinguishers are used in the same way. The user must pull the safety pin and aim the extinguisher hose at the base of the fire. The next step is to squeeze the handle to discharge the fire extinguisher and sweep the hose across the base of the fire.
Types of Fires
Cooking fires are one of the leading causes of fire incidents, and the leading cause of cooking fires is unattended cooking. You should never leave the kitchen when cooking.
In the case of a cooking fire like a grease fire, using baking soda will smother the fire, but use the fire extinguisher when it is needed. Water should not be used to extinguish a grease fire because water will splatter the grease and increase the size of the fire.
Electrical fires are also very common, and incidents can be easily reduced by not overloading power outlets. Keeping the area around plugs free of dust and spider webs will ensure less flammable material around the outlet.
You should also never chain link power strips or use many electrical devices on one power outlet. If a fire does occur, do not use water. A fire extinguisher should be used, but if the fire becomes large enough contact the fire department.
Escape Routes
Finally one of the most important things to do is to prepare an escape plan. Apartments are fairly small when compared to large office buildings, schools, or houses, but it is still imperative that you memorize the floorplan of the unit.
When you move into your apartment home, take some time to become familiar with the exit paths. One exit would be the main door, but some apartments also have fire exits next to windows or balconies.
You should also become familiar with the whole apartment building and take note of emergency stairwells or fire escapes. Many apartment complexes conduct emergency fire drills, so be sure you attend those sessions.
For more information on fire safety and prevention, go to the Dallas Fire-Rescue and view their comprehensive guide.