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Emergencies that can be prevented.....

By Dennis Swartz

Managing Real Estate Broker with Full Circle Property Management

January 10, 2015 08:44 PM

So one thing we deal with in property management is emergencies by our tenants, and while it is always stressful and difficult, it is always so amazing to me how many can be prevented.

This week I had two: One is a hospitalized resident with carbon monoxide poison and the other had a cooking fire. Both would be difficult to stop, but the alarm is what was missing.

In the first case the detector was too old to detect the issue as the tenant had a plug-in type that was years old. Did you know the sensors wear out over time?

The second was a kicthen fire that happened while her back was turned. The smoke detector was old and the battery died, and she took it down to stop the chirping, with the intent to get another battery and put it up later. While in another room she didn't realize the kitchen was on fire and now she too is in intensive care.

So this week, forgo the cost of one meal out of the home and get a new detector and a pack of batteries!

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Nina Hollander, Broker

Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC

Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Dennis, excellent suggestions and reminders. Don't know why people put their safety at risk for such small investment of money.

Jan 10, 2015 08:50 PM

Wallace S. Gibson, CPM

Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA

LandlordWhisperer

My HVAC service firm checks smoke alarms and changes batteries 2X a year...if the alarm is bad after testing, they replace for $30...well worth the expense....and I do not risk letting residents do this very important work.

YES....there is a difference in smoke alarms and the two different alarms need to be placed in different places.....

Jan 10, 2015 08:59 PM

Dennis Swartz

Full Circle Property Management - Columbus, OH

MBA, GRI...experience counts!

Wallace-if they test by pushing the button they all work. They need to test with a flame or smoke as over time the sensors get de-sensitized. We replace them every three years.

Jan 10, 2015 09:08 PM

TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.

Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN

Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Good morning Dennis. I am aware that the sensors do wear out. 10 years is the estimated life expectancy. Great awareness post.

Jan 10, 2015 09:43 PM

Michael Dagner

Brokers Guild Classic - Denver, CO

Your Denver Homes Realty Expert

Dennis, we'll have to check those batteries and the carbon monoxide detector too. Thx.

Jan 11, 2015 08:29 AM

Gabe Sanders

Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL

Stuart Florida Real Estate

Excellent reminder, Dennis. We need to keep these detectors in good working order.

Jan 11, 2015 08:24 PM

Ron Marshall

Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN

Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

Dennis, we change the batteries twice a year. When the clocks get set back or ahead, we change the batteries and use the ones we take out for things that are easier to change out than the batteries in the ceiling.....it is a good reminder that things can go horribly wrong so quickly. We also change the CO detectors, too, at the same time!

Jan 29, 2015 04:04 AM

Bob Crane

Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI

Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

What a week you have had Dennis, so far we have never had an incident like either of these.

We do make sure to have working co and smoke detectors in all units and council the tenants to keep the batteries in them.

Mar 20, 2015 05:03 AM

Emergencies that can be prevented.....

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