Spring into Fire Safety: Tips on Fire Safety Things to Do Around Your Apartment
When it comes to fire safety in Chicago, you can never be too careful. If you live in an apartment building, you are at a greater risk of being trapped if a fire were to occur. Now that spring has arrived, it is a good time to refresh yourself on fire safety tips. Reviewing your apartment and thinking about fire safety will ensure that you and your loved ones stay safe.
Checking Fire Alarms
To begin your Chicago fire safety spring checklist, review your fire alarms. Do you have batteries in your smoke detectors? Do you have enough smoke detectors in your apartment to ensure you alerted of a fire? Make sure the alarms are working so that you know when a fire has occurred so that you can reach safety quickly.
Personal Fire Extinguisher
When living in an apartment, a fire extinguisher will be located on each level. You will be able to use this fire extinguisher if needed. However, it can also be beneficial to have a fire extinguisher in your apartment building. These can easily be purchased in a smaller container and used when a fire breaks out in your apartment. The extinguisher is usually kept for cooking fires but can come in handy if any type of fire occurs.
Go Over Safety Plan
Having a Chicago fire safety plan is a must. When you live in an apartment, you need to know how you can escape and have a plan of action. If you live alone, you can figure out your plan by yourself. However, if you have roommates or live with your family, everyone needs to know what to do. Go over all exits of the building, including any fire escape staircases, the stairways in the building, etc.
Have a safe place to gather once you leave the building so that everyone can be accounted for. The spring is a good time to go over your fire safety plan so that everyone can react accordingly if a fire were to occur.
Review of Exit Signs
Apartment managers are supposed to keep exit signs of the building in proper order. The signs should have lighting so that you can see in the dark. Look for these exit signs and make sure they appear to be in working order. If you feel a sign is not working correctly, alert your landlord.
Speak to the Landlord
It is always a good idea to speak to your landlord about fire safety. Ensure that the apartment building is subject to regular fire safety checks. Talk to your landlord about your concerns, making sure all exits remain clear and are easily visible. You can speak to your landlord about the fire extinguishers of your building as well as additional fire safety measures that are in place. The more you know, the better prepared you will be in the event of a fire.
Overall, it is up to you to be safe during a fire in your apartment building. Have a plan of action and know what to do if you are ever in a fire. Acting fast and removing yourself from the situation as quickly as possible will help to ensure your safety.