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Do I Need to Provide a Fire Extinguisher for My Rental?

The subject of fire safety in your Ellsworth single-family rental house is a vital one. As an investment property owner, you want to know that your property is not only safe and in good condition but that you have good fire prevention measures in place as well. A lot of property owners recognize the worth of having smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in their rental homes and make sure to maintain them every year. But what about fire extinguishers? Despite there not being many laws that mandate property owners to have them, there are quite a few good reasons for having them.

As a property owner, you already know that obeying all state and local regulations is key to keeping your rental home safe and profitable. Regardless, the most effective property owners don’t just follow the letter of the law. You need to weigh things out in order to do what’s best for you, your tenants, and your investment. If it involves anything to make your property safer and easier to rent to quality tenants, go for it. One approach towards that is making fire extinguishers available in your rental homes.

When used rapidly and properly, fire extinguishers are proven to help prevent property damage and personal injury. Household fires can be immediately addressed by tenants if they are taught how to, and given the proper tools. There are numerous types of fire extinguishers made to put out different types of fires. The standard type of fire extinguisher made for general household use will put out most fires. When considering an extinguisher for your rental properties, take into account if it’s light enough to lift, aim, and spray easily. Consequently, general-purpose, user-friendly models are the best choice for rental properties.

Coupled with tenant education, equipping at least one fire extinguisher in your Ellsworth rental could spare you from having to spend more in the future. The National Fire Protection Association reports that there are more than 355,000 residential fires in the U.S. every year, causing $6.9 billion in property damage. Even if you assume that your insurance will help you repair or replace your rental home in the event of a fire, that usually doesn’t include the lost rental income or the higher insurance premiums you are likely to pay after making a claim.

In addition, fire extinguishers can save lives. Household fires cause an average of 2,600 deaths every year, as well as over 11,000 injuries. As a property owner, your tenants’ safety while they are in the rental home is your concern and duty. Educating your tenants on how to effectively address an emergency situation like fire and giving them the tools they need to extinguish small fires will lead to the likelihood that no lives will be lost in your rental home.

Equipping your tenants with fire extinguishers has multiple benefits. When you provide your tenants with fire extinguishers, you’re displaying genuine care for their safety, and not just for your own compliance with the law. This helps build a good rapport with your tenants, encourages them to do their part in property maintenance, and broadens the chances of lengthening their stay in your rental house. These are necessary for building higher long-term profitability for your rental.

In combination with smoke detectors, fire extinguishers are an essential part of any property owner’s tool kit. Nevertheless, there are many ways to create safe and appealing rental properties in Ellsworth. Would you like to learn more? Contact our team today online!

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