People who live in apartments or residential buildings need to be aware about the causes behind fires and preventive measures. The residents of condominiums, or apartment buildings should be familiar with the fire safety elements and collaborate with their neighbours to evacuate the buildings in the event of fire. Here’s how to minimise the risk of fire in apartments and what to do if any fire hazard occurs.

Common Causes of Fires in Apartment and Residential Buildings

The most frequent causes of home fires, the damages they inflict, and how to avoid them are listed below.

Cooking

Cooking or kitchen fires are by far the most common cause of house fires. Among different types of kitchen fires, grease fires are generally the most dangerous. When the temperature of your frying oil rises over 375 degrees Fahrenheit, it will begin to smoke and ultimately cause flames.

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Heating

House fires and injuries are often caused by portable heaters. They are responsible for a large number of fires since many homes do not have adequate space. Heaters come with detailed guidelines on how near they may be to other items, furniture, or walls.

Electrical Fires

A substantial percentage of home fires are caused by defective wiring or malfunctioning electrical outlets.

Smoking

Smoking materials such as cigarettes, cigars, and pipes are often causes of house fires. Smoking materials that have been lit inside are tiny and easy to overlook.

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Ways to Prevent Fires in Apartment and Residential Buildings

You may be familiar with fire safety advice for houses, but living in an apartment building poses a unique set of problems that you should be aware of – particularly if you live on the higher floors. Follow the procedures below to help safeguard and prepare yourself in the case of an emergency in your apartment building:

-        To keep appliances safe, use surge protectors.

-        Circuits should not be overloaded.

-        Frayed or fractured cables should not be used.

-        Cords should not be routed beneath carpets or between rooms.

-        A portable heater should never be left on if there’s no one in the room.

-        Make sure youngsters can't get their hands on matches or lighters.

-        Keep combustible materials out of your residence.

-        Candles should never be left unattended.

-        If you're cooking, don't leave it on the burner unattended.

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What to Do If an Accident Occurs in an Apartment or Residential Building?

The sound of the building's fire alarm may be particularly traumatic for persons who live in multi-family dwellings such as flats or condos. You may not know whether there is a real fire in the building or if your neighbour just toasted some bread and forgot to close the front door after they finished eating it. Regardless of the situation, it is critical to take every alert seriously and initiate your escape plan as soon as possible. Here are a few tips to follow:

Do Not Panic

Panic makes matters worse. The sight of a fire in your house might be terrifying but maintain your composure while you respond.

Do Not Attempt to Extinguish a Large Fire by Yourself

Some people's first reaction to a fire is to attempt to extinguish it. Not always is this the right course of action. If the fire is huge or is caused by a kind of grease, splashing water on it may actually cause it to grow and become deadlier. Use a fire extinguisher if feasible.

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Items Left Behind

It is usually tempting to attempt to locate essential stuff, such as laptops and mobile phones, to take with you when a fire breaks out. However, this may waste valuable time. Make sure everyone in the unit exits as quickly as possible.

Contacting Emergency Services

Once everyone has reached a safe distance from the apartment, dial 999. Maintain composure and clarity on the phone, so that dispatchers can rapidly get your information and respond to the fire.

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How to Stop Fires in Apartment or Residential Building

A fire that breaks out in an apartment building may not only affect one family; rather a fire hazard can drive many families out of their homes and cause damage to their belongings. By adhering to a few tried methods of fire prevention, you can significantly lower the likelihood of a fire occurring.

-        It is essential that the gas vents for dryers and water heaters be kept in good working order and that they go directly outside the building.

-        Never smoke in bed.

-        Never keep flammable liquids or combustible materials next to heat-producing equipment such as furnaces, water heaters, or other similar appliances.

-        Keep the caps securely fastened on flammable substances, and keep them outside the premises if at all feasible.

-        Make sure the candles are in secure holders and that they are not in a location where they may be easily knocked over.

-        Halogen lights should be kept away from drapery or other hanging materials.

-        Maintain in good working order all of the electrical and mechanical equipment.

-        Lock up matches and lighters, and keep them out of the reach of youngsters.

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Conclusion

Fire accidents might result in serious injuries, not to mention damages to your home and properties. It would be wise to stay aware and act before any fire incident occurs.

So far, we have discussed some effective ways to prevent fire hazards in residential buildings and apartments. These steps can make sure that your home and family members are safe from the risks of fire hazards.

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