It is always a good idea to be prepared when it comes to fire safety, especially in rental properties, which is why it is important to know how to prevent fire damage in a home. Here are a few tips to help you be prepared.
Educate About Fire Safety and Risks
Some of the most common causes of house fires are related to heating and cooking equipment, candles, smoking, faulty wiring, and children playing with matches. You need to make sure that every tenant in your property understands the risks that fire poses and what to do in order to prevent fires from happening. It is so easy to accidentally leave the stove on, which can lead to a disaster. Make sure that everyone knows the number of your local fire department in the event that a fire does occur, and maybe keep it posted on the fridge or in a place that is easily accessible.
Test the Smoke Alarms
It is advised by the U.S. Fire Administration that all smoke alarms be tested once every month and that their batteries be changed twice a year. It is also recommended that a fire alarm be replaced after every 10 years. You may want to consider investing in smart detectors that warn you when all these tasks need to be done. These detectors can also be linked to your phone and smart home system. Make sure that you have a working detector in each room of the house.
Keep Pets Contained
It might be a good idea to encourage your tenants to keep their pets, especially new ones, in a contained space when they leave the house. Untrained pets can easily chew on electrical cords without knowing that it is dangerous. They can also creep into tight places, especially very small pets, and this could cause serious damage to them and your home.
Keep Flammable Items And Lawn Clippings in Safe Places
When left piling up for even a short time, lawn clippings can become a serious fire hazard. All it takes is one spark to ignite the grass and start a raging fire. All other flammable items in your home should be in a safe place where they cannot be a potential fire risk.
Check Your Appliance Wiring
It is important that you check all your appliances for any possible wiring issues before a tenant moves in. Faulty wires can easily be the cause of a fire, which can quickly turn into a life-threatening disaster. It does not take much to check, and if you are not sure what to do, you can contact an electrician, or your property management company, if you have one, who will be able to send someone out to check them for you.
Don’t Allow Smoking or Lit Candles
You may want to create a no smoking, no lit candles policy that your tenants agree to in the rental agreement. It’s easy to forget about a lit cigarette or candle, and the results are too often disastrous.
Our team at Specialized Property Management Fort Worth is very aware of fire risks on a property. We do everything we can to keep your tenants and your property safe. We are also always available to the tenant in case of emergency and we take care of everything we can, so you won’t have to worry about a thing. Call us at 817-886-9220 or contact us online to get a quote today!
