A Responsibility You Can Live With
Why Practice Fire
Safety?
If you are going to die in
a fire, it will probably happen where you feel most safe – your home.
Every year, several thousand people die in home fires.
Most die from smoke inhalation in homes lacking working smoke
alarms. Still others are killed
while trying to put out what they think is a controllable fire.
Fire is deadly.
It can kill you and your family in less time than it will take you to
read this guide on fire safety.
While firefighters can perform heroic rescues, most people killed by fire are
dead before we get the call for help.
Almost all fires are
preventable. Most fires (and fire
deaths) share a common theme: a
lack of personal responsibility from one or more people caused the incident to
occur.
This booklet plainly
explains your responsibilities for fire safety.
Following these principles will help ensure your home remains fire free.
What Are Property
Owners Responsible For?
Your property owner is
responsible for providing you with safe shelter.
They are required by law to ensure you have a safe source of heat,
electricity, water and sewer. In
buildings with four or more apartments, the property owner must provide electric
smoke alarms. Property owners must
insure their structure, but are not required to insure the contents of tenants.
Renters should purchase insurance for their possessions.
What Are Tenants
Responsible For?
When it comes to fire
safety, tenants have a huge responsibility.
Why? Because you live
there. The majority of fires occur
not as the result of a problem with the structure or its equipment.
Rather, someone who lives in the home does something that causes a fire.
Examples include a lack of responsible behavior with stoves, heaters,
cigarettes, lighters and candles.
As a tenant, you are responsible for safely using all equipment that
makes heat. These tools don’t have
a brain. It is you that controls
their power.
Here’s another point of
responsibility that should concern you greatly:
Up to a third of the smoke alarms in our community are dead right
now. Why?
Because of dead or missing batteries, unhooked electric wires, or the
alarm is just too old.
We’ll examine smoke alarms
in a minute. First, let’s identify
what’s burning in the community and how you can prevent these fires.
Community Fire
Problems:
Problem:
Unattended cooking is the leading cause of fire in most areas.
Solution:
Stay in the kitchen when cooking.
Especially when frying food.
Problem:
Candle fires
Solution:
Consider not using candles.
If you do, use sturdy ones that have a glass enclosure.
Stay in the room where candles are in use.
Never, leave candles burning after bedtime.
Problem:
Smoking-related fires
Solution:
Consider not smoking. If you
do smoke, go outside. Always empty
ashtrays into a metal container with water in it.
Do not dump ashtrays into trash containers.
Problem:
Overloaded electrical circuits
Solution:
Use power strips that have a circuit breaker.
Limit use of extension cords.
Problem:
Children and fire
Solution:
Always supervise children.
Keep matches and lighters out of reach from kids.
Teach kids that fire is a tool for adult use and not a toy for play.
Problem:
Portable heater fires
Solution:
Keep portable heaters three feet from walls and furniture.
Remember – the fire that
doesn’t happen is the fire that doesn’t kill you, family members or
firefighters. And – you don’t have
to pay for the consequences through inconvenience, rent penalties or personal
loss.
Smoke alarms save
lives – if they work!
Having working smoke
alarms in your home not only is good sense - it’s the law.
Non-working smoke alarms violate most leases.
And, you the tenant can be fined up to $500.00 dollars for
violating local housing codes.
Let’s make sure you have
the protection you need and understand how smoke alarms work.
In single family, duplex
and three unit buildings, it is the tenant’s responsibility to install and
maintain smoke alarms on all levels of the home.
These alarms can either be battery or electric powered.
Smoke alarms must be tested weekly to make sure they work when needed.
All alarms have test buttons.
9-volt batteries should be replaced at least once a year.
A chirping sound means the battery is weak and must be replaced.
The entire smoke alarm should be replaced every ten years.
Long-life lithium powered
smoke alarms have batteries that can last up to ten years.
These type alarms are worth the money if you don’t want to worry about
changing batteries.
Many newer smoke alarm
models feature a “hush” button to quiet nuisance alarms from cooking and shower
steam.
In apartment buildings
with four or more units, it is the property owner’s responsibility to install
electric powered smoke alarms near sleeping areas.
It is preferred the units include a battery back-up feature in case of
power failures. It is the tenant’s job to make sure alarms are working at all
times. If the alarm malfunctions,
the tenant must call the owner right away so the alarm can be fixed.
Remember – it’s the
tenant’s responsibility to understand how their smoke alarm works, test it, and
keep it in working order.
There is absolutely no
excuse for disabling, removing, or not having smoke alarms.
If you can’t resolve a smoke alarm issue
with your property owner, call your local fire department and ask for help.
Most fire departments offer a free smoke alarm installation program.
What IF A Fire
Happens?
If a fire happens in your
home, don’t panic and don’t fight it.
People die and buildings burn down when people get pre-occupied fighting
fires. Leave that job to us.
Here’s what to do:
 |
Stay low, smoke and heat rise. |
|
Exit your home by using the safest and
fastest route possible. |
|
Doors are excellent first choices of
escape. Windows and fire escapes are
good back-up routes. |
|
Once outside, stay outside!
Telephone 911 from a safe location. |
Talk to your family in
advance so everyone knows what to do in case of fire.
Make a plan that includes several escape routes and identify an outdoor
meeting place. Practice the plan
often.
Your safety is your
responsibility. Following this fire
safety checklist can help ensure your personal safety.
|
Smoke alarms are present and working at the
time of lease signing. |
|
I understand the operation of the smoke
alarms. |
|
I will test smoke alarms weekly and
maintain batteries if required. |
|
Smoke alarms will remain operational at all
times. |
|
I understand the penalties associated with
disabling or removing smoke alarms.
($500.00 citation) |
|
If a maintenance problem arises with smoke
alarms, I will notify my property owner/manager immediately. |
|
Cooking will be supervised at all times. |
|
Candle use will be prohibited or limited to
glass enclosed types. |
|
Smoking will be prohibited or suggested
that people smoke outside. |
|
Matches and lighters will be isolated from
children. |
|
Power strips with circuit breakers will be
used. Extension cords will be used
sparingly. |
|
Portable heaters will be kept at least
three feet from walls and furniture. |
|
If a fire occurs, everyone will get out
immediately, stay out, and call 911 from a safe place. |
How confident is the fire
department that these principles work?
We suggest property owners and tenants form a contractual agreement that
the information contained in this guide will be practiced on a daily basis.
Tenants – signing this
booklet acknowledges you will accept responsibility for maintaining a fire safe
home. Your landlord will ask you to
also sign a separate contract page that will be attached to your lease.
_________________________
_________________________
Tenant Signature
Property Owner/Manager Signature
The actual Fire Safety Contractual Agreement has not been included. Please contact Mike Weller - Hagerstown, Maryland Fire Department - Supervisor of Fire Safety Education or Deanna Pelton to receive this. 301) 791-2205