If you have rental properties, you’re probably concerned about potential fire hazards and how to minimize them. Many fires are preventable, even if your tenants end up being careless or destructive. Consider the following fire prevention tips.

• Make sure as much fire retardant material is used in the building and maintenance of structures as possible. This is one way to prevent fire from spreading quickly if fire does start. Property management companies can help with renovations of new investments and choose the right building materials to meet building codes and fire codes.
• A reputable property management company like Specialized Property Management has the ability to keep floor plans and information on appliances in their records. Proper maintenance and replacement of worn-out appliances is another way to prevent rental property fires.
• Installing smoke alarms in every room of each unit is a good way to prevent fires or alert dwellers before they do serious damage. Property management companies can go through every room of every unit to make sure smoke detectors are working properly and replace those that no longer work. It’s also a good idea to put fire extinguishers in every rental and instruct new tenants on how to use them.
• Providing tenants with safety tips can go a long way in preventing fires or reducing the risk. Instruct tenants to check stove and oven settings often, to make sure they are not on when not in use. Providing tips on using candles safely can also help. Tips such as not leaving children alone when they’re cooking and keeping matches or lighters out of reach of young children are some additional tips to provide tenants when they move in and periodically through community bulletins or newsletters.
• Furnaces, chimneys, and fireplaces can all be sources of fire if not maintained properly. All vents should be cleaned of debris periodically to prevent them from becoming clogged. A property management company can take care of these types of maintenance on a routine basis, to reduce these hazards.
• Establish rules for outdoor grilling. Many rental units come with patios. If they are covered, grilling on them should not be allowed. Instruct tenants on where to grill and provide them a safe outdoor area if grilling on patios will be risky. Outdoor walk-out patios with concrete, that are not covered are safer but can still pose risks if accelerants are used.
• Encourage tenants to create a fire plan and make sure all family members know the way out.

Need help managing your Houston Rental Property? Learn how Specialized Property Management Houston offers the most innovative property management solution available today. Call Specialized Property Management Houston 713-930-1059 – or contact us Online.