logo

ABINGTON

FIRE COMPANY

  • Contact Us
  • Dispatch Ops
  • About
    • AFC History
    • AFC Leadership
    • AFC Members
    • In Memoriam
    • About ATFD
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Contact AFC
  • Join
    • Apply Now
    • Membership Types
    • Recruitment FAQ’s
  • News
    • Upcoming Events
    • AFC in Photos
    • Instagram Latest
    • Facebook Latest
  • Station
    • AFC Apparatus
      • Historical Apparatus
    • Response Statistics
  • Fire Safety
    • Featured Topics
    • Topics By Audience
    • Seasonal Topics
    • More Topics
  • Donate

Apartment Fire Safety

People living in an apartment building need to think ahead and be prepared in the event of a fire. It is important to know the fire safety features in your building and work together with neighbors to help keep the building as fire-safe as possible.

If you live in an apartment or condominium you need to know how to get out quickly if a fire starts. Here is what you need to know about apartment living and fire safety!

Apartment Fires- Quick Facts

  • Between 2010-2014, there were 107,800 apartment fires, causing 410 deaths, 4,280 injuries and $1.2 million in property damage.
  • January was the top month for apartment fires with 10,200. It was also the top month for deaths caused by these fires with 60.
  • Apartment fires tend to happen in the evening hours between 3:00 -10:00 pm (45%).

Apartment Fire Safety- Tips

Building Fire Safety-

  • Don’t prop open exit or stairway doors.
  • Speak to your apartment manager if you see a damaged smoke alarm, fire extinguisher or an emergency light that has been burned out.

 

Be Prepared-

  • Count the number of doors there are between your apartment and the nearest fire exit.
  • Know where all the exit doors and stairs are on your floor.
  • Learn your building evacuation plan if you have one. Create and practice an escape plan for your specific apartment.

 

Stay Calm-

  • If your door feels warm to the touch, do not attempt to open it. Call 9-1-1 and tell the dispatcher your apartment number and that you can’t open your door.
  • Stuff the cracks around the door with towels, rags, bedding, or tape.
  • Wait at a window and signal for help with a flashlight or by waving a white cloth.
  • If your apartment door is cool to the touch, open it slowly and stay low as you check for fire and smoke in the hallway. If the hallway is safe, follow your building’s evacuation plan.
  • Never use an elevator to escape a fire. Always use the stairs.

 

Wait Outside for the Fire Department-

  • Stay outside. Do not go back inside for any reason.
  • If you think someone is still inside, tell firefighters where you think they are.
  • Wait until firefighters tell you it is safe to go back into the apartment structure.

Apartment Fire Safety- Checklist

Make sure the following statements are all true for your new home!

  • Do you have at least one operable smoke alarm?
  • Are your electrical cords in good condition?
  • Do you have any electrical cords running under rugs?
  • Are your space heaters at least three feet from combustibles?
  • If your fire escape window clear and unobstructed?
  • Can your windows be easily opened from the inside?
  • Are your building stairwells free of storage and rubbish?
  • Are the exit lights in your stairwell in working order?
  • Do you have a fire escape plan?

Downloadable Resources

  • Apartment Fire Safety Checklist
  • Home Fire Escape Plan Grid
  • How to Make a Home Fire Escape Plan

Source for Content: National Fire Protection Association and U.S. Fire Administration.

Search The Site

Donate Online

$25 | $50 | $100 | $Other

Make a Secure Online Donation Today

Fire Safety

  • Fire & Life Safety Info.
  • Featured Fire Safety Topics
  • Fire Safety Topics By Audience
  • More Fire Safety Topics

Latest News & Events

Abington Fire Helps Plan Your Escape

Santa! I Know Him! – Santa Run 2021

July 2021: A Month for the Record Books

AFC Crew Responds to Upper Moreland Apartment Fire

AFC on Facebook

ABINGTON FIRE COMPANY

1920 Horace Avenue
Abington, PA 19001

Emergency Dial 911
Non-Emergency (215) 572-0312

  • About
    • AFC History
    • AFC Leadership
    • AFC Members
    • In Memoriam
    • About ATFD
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Contact AFC
  • Join
    • Apply Now
    • Membership Types
    • Recruitment FAQ’s
  • News
    • Upcoming Events
    • AFC in Photos
    • Instagram Latest
    • Facebook Latest
  • Station
    • AFC Apparatus
      • Historical Apparatus
    • Response Statistics
  • Fire Safety
    • Featured Topics
    • Topics By Audience
    • Seasonal Topics
    • More Topics
  • Donate
Email Newsletter Signup

Help us keep you informed with critical information to keep you and your family safe by signing up to our email newsletter.

Be Informed, Sign-Up Today!

All content, including all images and photography except as specifically noted.
Copyright 2023, Abington Fire Company

  • Members Resources
  • Home
  • News & Events
  • Join The AFC
  • About The AFC
  • The AFC Station
  • Fire & Life Safety
  • Members Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Dispatch Ops
First Arriving Logo