If you are considering using a fireplace in your apartment, there are a few fire safety tips you must keep in mind.
There have been many historical buildings and structures that have been converted into apartments. Many of these have fireplaces. This is a real relic of a time before central heating units existed and when wood-burning fireplaces were usually the most economical way of heating a room. If you are considering using a fireplace in your apartment, there are a few safety tips you must keep in mind. Read on to learn more!
Check With Your Landlord
Before you start a fire in your apartment’s fireplace, check with your landlord to make sure that the fireplace is working properly. Many apartment fireplaces have been sealed off entirely and are just there for decorations. If this is the case don’t use it. It is still an interesting historical touch that you can add to your living space. With caution, you may consider lighting candles in the hearth as an alternative. If the fireplace hasn’t been properly sealed off, make sure to ask if the chimney has been inspected or cleaned recently. Never use a fireplace that that hasn’t been inspected. Chimneys should be cleaned at least once annually. If not, a buildup of creosote poses a serious risk for house fires, and that is the last thing you’ll want to deal with.
Test Your Smoke Alarms
You must test your smoke alarms before you ever consider lighting a fire. Many apartment leases include a clause placing the onus of testing smoke alarms on the tenant. If the alarm does not sound, replacing the batteries to fix the problem. If not, contact the property owner to repair or replace the detector. You should never leave your fireplace unattended. However, it isn’t an easy task to put out a fire in a fireplace if you must briefly step out of the room. For this reason, working smoke detectors are essential. Remember, do not ever leave the fire unattended for longer than a minute or two. Things can get out of hand fast.
Install Fire Extinguisher(s)
Even if you do not have a fireplace in your apartment, we cannot emphasize enough the importance of having a fire extinguisher. If you do currently have a working fireplace, make sure there is a fire extinguisher close to the fireplace. Know how to properly use it, too, as no space can truly be considered safe without a fire extinguisher present.
Fire Protection Services from Fireline
Whether you need smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or an automatic sprinkler system installed at your commercial property, Fireline has you covered. We have been protecting people and property from fire damage since 1947—and our experience shows in our excellent work! We are known for our superb customer service, our expertise, and our reliability. For more information on how we can help your residential or commercial property, visit us online or give us a call at (800) 553-3405. We are in Baltimore, MD, with a second office in Leesburg, VA. For more fire safety tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.