Property Owners: ‘Tis the Season for Fire Safety Reminders

It’s that time of year, when the chill in the air and the approaching holiday can mean increased fire hazards in and around the home. All property owners, landlords and property management companies should be vigilant about reminding tenants of these hazards. Landlords and tenants need to know how to protect themselves, their possessions and their property.

Holiday Decorations: Use non-combustible, flame-resistant materials. Never use lighted candles on a tree, evergreens or other flammable materials.

Lights: Check for loose connections, broken or cracked sockets or frayed wires. Use UL approved lighting. Fasten lights to the tree and prevent bulbs from coming in contact with the needles or branches. Unplug all exterior and interior holiday lights and decorations before you go to bed.

Trees: Be sure a natural tree is fresh and less likely to become a fire hazard by cutting 2 inches off the trunk and placing it in a sturdy water stand; water the tree daily. Keep the tree away from fireplaces, wall furnaces and other heat sources. When opting for an artificial tree, make sure it is labeled “fire resistant.”

Portable space heaters: Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything combustible. Turn on space heaters only when you are in the room. Don’t leave a space heater on overnight or near children and pets.

Cooking: Turkey fryers should be used outdoors and away from buildings and flammable materials.

Fire Escape Plan: Be sure your tenants have and know an escape route. Check to make sure there is a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen, laundry room, and garage. Remind them to never burn greens, papers, or other decorations in the fireplace. Test all smoke alarms, and replace their batteries every six months.

Visit our homepage for more info on our tenant screening services.

Follow ATS Inc. on Twitter!

Try Partnering With Tenant to Make Eco-friendly Changes

Have your heard about how Internet giant Google is partnering with its landlord, McKinley Inc., to make several eco-friendly renovations to the building it leases in Ann Arbor, Mich.? According to reports, they’re also collaborating to build a huge outdoor rooftop deck, among other things. Representatives for McKinley, which is based in Ann Arbor, say they hope the partnership can stand as an example of what can be done between landlords and tenants to adopt renewable energy technology to enhance the workplace.

It’s an idea that makes sense from a business perspective and an environmental perspective, and it’s one that can be translated on a simpler level to smaller businesses and even residential buildings as well. If you’ve thought about making sustainable changes to your properties, why not talk to your tenant about them and see if splitting the cost is an option. The tenant has a right to refuse, of course, but if they see themselves staying put for the long term, they might jump at the chance to make a few changes that could substantially cut their utility bills and help the environment as well.

Even if tenants don’t go for such a partnership, it’s a good idea to make a list of what changes you could make to your property that would enhance its sustainability and save tenants — and you — money in the long run. Then methodically knock things off your list, starting with the least expensive and moving up toward the bigger projects. Eco-friendly changes will give your property great appeal to future tenants, and could make you eligible for special tax credits as well.

Follow ATS, Inc. on Twitter!

http://www.alwaysscreen.com/