Prepare Your Apartment for Fall
When you live in a Chicago condominium, it is important that fire safety is one of the items on your to-do list when seasons change. As you’re preparing for fall and winter in Chicago, make sure to keep these items in mind to ensure your apartment is fire safe for the upcoming cooler months.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
While you probably checked these in the spring, it’s time again to ensure their batteries are in good working order and that they are working properly. Every time you spring forward or fall back with your clocks, check your detectors. These can mean the difference in having plenty of time to get out of an apartment when danger is near, or a tragic loss. Be sure you have checked the batteries and change them out on a regular basis.
Space Heaters
Does your apartment get cold in the fall and winter? If so, you may think space heaters are a great idea for your Chicago condominium. While they can be a great asset, they can also be a huge danger issue for fire in the winter. It is important that if you use these type of heaters that you make sure to take safety precautions. Do not ever leave them on when you’re sleeping or when you’re away from the home. This can cause a fire and no one is there to realize it until it’s too late.
Make sure they have plenty of space around the heaters as well. Part of the Chicago fire safety tips is to never have items too close to the heater. This can cause the items such as clothing or blankets to catch on fire and it can quickly get out of control. Be sure that your heaters have plenty of clear room around them so they can heat your home without causing damage.
Fire Extinguishers
Make sure that you have the required type and number of portable fire extinguishers throughout the common areas of the building. For all existing extinguishers, check the tags to ensure each has been properly serviced during the previous 12 months as required by fire code.
Escape Route
As part of your fire safety in Chicago, you should have a planned escape route from your apartment building in the event of a fire. Be sure to practice this routine once a month or so with your family. Your children and spouse need to know where to go to get out of the building in case of a fire.
Designate your safe spot so that every family member knows where to go should you have to evacuate. Also, make sure to talk about never going back into a building on fire when you’re out. Once you’re out of the building, stay out of the building no matter what.
Emergency Lights
If you notice that any of the lights in your hallways are not burning, be sure to inform your property manager. They can take the necessary steps to make sure the entire condo is fire safe. If you notice items blocking doorways or that exits are blocked, speak up. Don’t let these items slide as they could mean life and death in an emergency situation.
Keeping your family and your building fire safe is easier to do than you might expect. With a little bit of time and due diligence, you can rest easy that your Chicago condominium is up to fire safety standards and ready for the new season.