The New York Times<\/em> is calling the <\/span>early fire season of 2018 the new normal\u00a0<\/span><\/a>as more than 100 wildfires burn across the United States. <\/span><\/p>\n These devastating fires are burning homes and structures, destroying forests, fields, and hillsides, and <\/span>taking lives<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n According to the National Interagency Fire Center<\/a>, as of Aug 10, 2018, there are currently 100 active fires burning over one million acres in the U.S. Most of them are in the western states.<\/span>\u00a0This number changes daily as fires are extinguished and started during the hot summer months.<\/span><\/p>\n When a wildfire rips through a community, there is not much one can do besides listen to official evacuation orders and prepare for safety measures. <\/span><\/p>\n But before a fire starts, there are things every homeowner should do to make sure they are as prepared as possible for fire season. Rental property owners and managers should be prepared to inform tenants of proper safety measures to take during fire season. Fire prevention for rental properties includes preparing the property for fire safety, both inside and out. <\/span><\/p>\n Here\u2019s a look at some important fire prevention tips and safety measures for rental properties.<\/span><\/p>\n Your home should be equipped with smoke alarms on every floor, in every bedroom, and outside every sleeping area. As a landlord or housing provider, you are <\/span>required to provide working smoke detectors<\/span><\/a> in your residences per your state and local laws. <\/span><\/p>\n Smoke alarms should be tested each month. You should include a condition in your lease agreement asking your tenants to test the smoke alarms every month and to inform you immediately if one is out of order. Additionally, it is a good idea to personally test smoke alarms during your routine inspections. <\/span><\/p>\n It is a good idea to have at least one fire extinguisher on every level of your home. Landlords and property managers may choose to provide fire extinguishers to their tenants. The lease agreement should outline who is responsible for keeping the fire extinguisher maintained if it\u2019s provided by the landlord. <\/span><\/p>\n Check your state laws to see if you are required to provide a fire extinguisher. While most states require smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, there are few laws about fire extinguisher requirements. The exception is multifamily properties, where code requires fire extinguishers in hallways and outside entrances. <\/span><\/p>\n Regardless of if you provide a fire extinguisher or not, remind your tenants of the value of their important fire safety devices.<\/span><\/p>\n Related:<\/strong>\u00a0How to Recover From a Fire in Your Rental Property<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Encourage your tenants to establish an escape plane in the case of a fire. As a housing provider, you should prioritize your tenants safety at all times. Provide your renters with information on fire safety, including information on the importance and value of creating an escape plan. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n An escape plan<\/span><\/a> will include speaking with every household member, identifying smoke alarms and fire extinguishers, marking exist points for different fire situations, knowing how to use escape ladders if necessary, designating a meeting place outside the house, and informing kids and practicing what to do and where to go in case of a fire.<\/span><\/p>\n The right insurance will be extremely valuable when disaster strikes. Insurance will help replace belongings that are destroyed in a fire. In order to get the most out of your policy, however, it will serve you best to have a <\/span>comprehensive inventory of your things<\/span><\/a>. Your renter will most likely rely on their renter\u2019s insurance policy to replace their items. As fire season approaches, remind your tenants to go through their home and write down out a list of valuables, take pictures of items, and keep copies of receipts. <\/span><\/p>\n A landlord insurance polic<\/span><\/a>y will cover the exterior of the building and any belongings you keep on the property \u2014 like appliances or maintenance equipment \u2014 that could get destroyed in a fire. Additional coverage can also include loss of rent insurance, which will pay rental income while a property is getting repaired if it\u2019s uninhabitable due to a fire.<\/span><\/p>\n Renter\u2019s insurance is an affordable option to give your tenants peace of mind that their belongings will be replaced if damaged by a fire. Landlords and property managers can require their tenants carry a renter\u2019s insurance policy as a condition of the lease. Remind your tenants of the value of renter\u2019s insurance, and encourage them to specifically talk to their provider about a coverage for fire damage. <\/span><\/p>\n When considering the outside of a home, firewise landscaping is extremely important for preventing the damaging effects of wildfires to a property. <\/span>According to the National Fire Protection Association<\/span><\/a> (NFPA), wildfire researchers created the concept of the home ignition zone (HIZ). The HIZ is the area around a home that can ignite and destroy a structure due to radiant heat. <\/span><\/p>\n There are three zones that make up the HIZ: the immediate zone (up to five feet from the home), the intermediate zone (five to 30 feet from the home), and the extended zone (30\u2013100 feet from the home). <\/span><\/p>\nInterior Fire Safety<\/h2>\n
1. Smoke Alarms<\/h3>\n
2. Fire Extinguisher<\/h3>\n
3. Escape Plan<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\n4. Document Valuables<\/h3>\n
5. Your Insurance<\/h3>\n
6. Renter\u2019s Insurance<\/h3>\n
Exterior Fire Safety<\/h2>\n
7. Firewise Landscaping<\/h3>\n
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