How to Make Your Apartment Safe
Fire safety tips:
1. Smoke detectors – install them in every bedroom, hallway, kitchen, and laundry area. Also test your smoke detector and replace the batteries every six months.
2. Fire extinguishers – keep them in an accessible place in the kitchen, laundry area, and if you have an outside grill, near it to.
3. Escape plan – You and your family should practice an escape plan regularly. The plan should have two escape routes, out the main door and through a window or another door. You may want to purchase a rope ladder if you live on an upper floor without a fire escape.
4. Never use an elevator during a fire – It is in you best interest to stay away from using elevators in a fire. It could malfunction and then you will be stuck.
5. Fire hydrants – Do not park in front of them. This blocks access for the hose and can waste time, which every second counts in a fire.
General safety tips:
1. Carbon monoxide detector – It is good insurance to know that carbon monoxide is not building up in your home.
2. Screen guards – These are very important to use especially the higher up you are and if you have small children. You hear a lot of cases where children have died falling out of windows.
3. Apartment and building number – Keep these handy by your telephone. Incase of an emergency other members of your family or a babysitter will be able to give out the information quickly without having to remember in a stressful time.
4. Apartment number – Your apartment number should be on your entry door and be seen clearly so emergence responders can find the emergency quickly.
5. 911 – Every person in you family should know how and when to dial 911. The faster the call goes out the faster the emergency can be dealt with.
Intruder safety tips:
1. Apartment watch – A group watching for suspicious activity is better than one person.
2. Deadbolt locks – If you don’t have one already install one and place a brace on sliding doors.
3. Good Lighting – Hallways, stairways, and other common areas should be well lit to prevent suspicious activity.
4. Common entry door – Only tenants should enter. The door should not be open for strangers.
Keep these tips in mind and you will have a safer renting experience.