One of the biggest threats to human life is fire. Fires can strike without warning, burning through buildings, destroying property, and claiming precious lives in mere minutes. Fires can also cause billions of dollars in property damage.
According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), an estimated 368,500 residential building fires were reported from 2017 to 2019. These fires caused 2,770 deaths, 11,650 injuries and $8.1 billion in property loss. There are more residential building fires than most people realize, and prevention and preparation should be taken seriously. Fire can spread rapidly through buildings and units with shared walls, floors, or ceilings.
Did you know that October 8 through 14 is fire prevention week? For more comprehensive fire safety tips, information and resources, visit the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) website.
Educating residents about potential hazards is key to fire prevention. Help keep your property safe with these 6 fire prevention tips.
Tip #1. Spread fire safety awareness
Promote fire safety awareness in your community by starting with the basics, emphasizing fire prevention readiness. Stress the significance of establishing an evacuation plan that includes exit routes and a reunion point outside the building.
Utilize all available communication channels to disseminate the information. Post flyers about fire safety in common areas and share them at community meetings. Also share them via email and on your website.
“Residents rely on their communities to receive critical information, especially during an emergency,” said Danny Ellis, president at FirstService Residential. “Make sure all residents are added to your emergency mass communication system as soon as they move into the building.”
FirstService Residential employs Resident Alert, an emergency communication tool within FirstService Residential Connect™, the company’s proprietary management software, that enables immediate communication with residents, ensuring they are consistently informed.
Your property management company should support you in your resident communication efforts. To learn more, read Connecting with Your Community: Communication Best Practices.
Tip #2. Get to know your local fire department
Fire departments often provide educational materials and presentations to residents in the community to promote fire safety awareness. Get in touch with them to schedule a fire safety presentation or educational workshop for residents. Consider what topics or areas you'd like the presentation to cover, like fire prevention, evacuation procedures, or how to use a fire extinguisher. Bring up fire safety concerns and ask how to address them before they become serious issues. A strong working relationship between your board and the local fire department can foster collaboration and community trust, which enhances overall safety and emergency preparedness in your community.
Tip #3. Remind residents about common fire hazards
There are several common residential fire hazards that homeowners need to be aware of to help prevent fires and ensure the safety of their households and their neighbors. Common hazards include:
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Cooking: According to the USFA, unattended cooking is a leading cause of home fires. Grease fires, stovetop burner accidents, and flammable materials left too close to the stove can all result in kitchen fires.
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Heating equipment: Space heaters, furnaces, and wood-burning stoves can pose fire hazards if not used and maintained properly.
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Candles: Unattended or improperly placed candles can start fires if they tip over or ignite nearby flammable materials.
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Smoking: Careless disposal of cigarettes or improperly extinguished smoking materials can lead to fires, especially in dry or windy conditions.
Consider hosting a meeting or Town Hall to discuss these hazards and fire safety protocols. Gatherings such as these allow residents to ask questions and get clarification.
"These gatherings provide an excellent opportunity for residents to learn more about protecting themselves and their homes," said Jeff Musselman, vice president at FirstService Residential. "Even something as basic as reminding them to take simple precautions, such as blowing out a candle when they leave the room, can make all the difference in maintaining a safe environment."
Tip #4. Test your equipment on a regular basis
Fire equipment in your building should be maintained and regularly tested to ensure it functions correctly. This includes fire alarms and extinguishers, sprinkler and emergency lighting systems, and fire doors. Encourage residents to do the same within their units, checking and testing their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Tip #5. Share your emergency plan
Sometimes known as an emergency response plan, an emergency plan for your community is a guide specifying the exact procedures for managing and handling emergency situations such as fires. It’s important to share this information with your community as it outlines the necessary steps to take in case of a fire. These steps should include building evacuation plans and who to contact for help. Guidelines such as these will allow residents to act quickly, minimizing the risk of loss of life in an emergency.
Tip #6. Become familiar with the fire codes in your municipality
Fire codes are designed to prevent fires from occurring or to minimize their damage if they do occur. Are you familiar with fire codes in your municipality? Like most laws, they vary according to location. Each state has fire codes tailored to its specific conditions and needs. In Georgia, the Fire Marshall's Office has the responsibility of enforcing fire codes. To ensure compliance, it conducts fire and life safety inspections of existing buildings and structures. It also reviews plans and specifications for maintaining records and responding to customer questions and concerns about fire hazards.
Associations in Georgia should check with their local government authorities and fire departments to understand the local fire codes and regulations that apply to their community. These codes may cover various aspects of fire safety related to prevention measures and emergency preparedness. Consult your association's property management company and legal counsel as well.
Ensuring your community complies with fire codes is crucial for fire prevention and to avoid violations that may result in fines.
Fires can have devastating consequences, and prevention is always the best defense. By sharing fire safety awareness and prevention strategies, you can empower residents to protect themselves and their properties from this ever-present threat.
If you want to discover how a professional property management company can help your building prepare for a fire or other emergency, contact FirstService Residential.