Fire Safety & Emergency Preparedness
Fire Safety
Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility. Make sure you inspect your apartment and communicate any fire hazards to your landlord in writing.
Below are some basic fire safety tips to remember:
- Smoking is the number one cause of apartment fires. For your safety, you should not allow smoking in your apartment. If you do, provide them with large ashtrays and check behind furniture and check cushions before going to bed. Do not smoke in bed. Make sure cigarettes are extinguished before emptying ashtrays into the garbage.
- Do not leave paper or combustibles by heaters or open flames.
- Do not block exits.
- Keep exit and stairway doors closed at all times.
- Never use an elevator in a fire. Use the stairs.
- Do not overcrowd your apartment with people or belongings.
- Make sure your apartment has safety devices including fire extinguishers, and smoke detectors.
- Check for electrical hazards including worn electrical cords, overloaded extension cords and outlets, broken appliances, and exposed wiring or outlets.
- Do not run cords under carpets, over doors, over nails, or in high traffic areas.
- Use heavy duty extension cords.
- Never store flammable liquids in your apartment.
- Make sure your apartment has smoke detectors outside of every bedroom (and inside if you sleep with the door closed). Change batteries twice a year and when they indicate they need to be changed (usually by beeping).
- Boiler rooms, hallways, and exit stairwells should be equipped with smoke detectors. There should also be a smoke detector on each floor of the house.
- Follow the manufacturers testing and cleaning instructions for all smoke detectors. Test them at least once a month.
- Create an evacuation plan with your roommates. Post it in public places so your guests know it too. Decide upon a meeting place outside.
- Never re-enter a burning building. Let the fire department know if someone is left inside.
- Do not burn trash or yard waste.
- Do not place space heaters near curtains, furniture, or plastics. They should be at least 3 feet away.
- Make sure space heaters are turned off and unplugged before leaving the room.
- Make sure nothing is stored by your heater or furnace.
- Extinguish candles and incense before you leave the room if you choose to use them.
- Do not leave the stove unattended.
Emergency Preparedness
For more information on emergency preparedness, including your own personal emergency plan, visit the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity by clicking here.
