A seasonal fire safety reminder for landlords and property managers in Auckland
As a landlord or property manager, it’s your responsibility to make sure the homes you provide are not only warm and dry but safe, especially as winter approaches. With the arrival of colder months, the risk of house fires goes up, as heaters, electric blankets, dryers, and heavier electricity use all contribute to a greater fire danger.
Whether you’re managing one rental or several, now is the perfect time to do a fire safety check and make sure your properties are well-prepared. Here are five essential fire safety checks that can help protect your tenants, your property, and your peace of mind this winter.
1. Test and Maintain Smoke Alarms
As a landlord or property manager, it’s your responsibility to make sure the homes you provide are not only warm and dry but safe, especially as winter approaches. With the arrival of colder months, the risk of house fires goes up, as heaters, electric blankets, dryers, and heavier electricity use all contribute to a greater fire danger.
Whether you’re managing one rental or several, now is the perfect time to do a fire safety check and make sure your properties are well-prepared. Here are five essential fire safety checks that can help protect your tenants, your property, and your peace of mind this winter.
2. Inspect Heaters, Appliances, and Electrical Devices
Winter usually means more indoor time and more demand on electrical systems. Portable heaters, dryers, electric blankets, and overloaded multi-plugs all pose a heightened fire risk if they’re not properly maintained or used safely.
As a landlord, you may not be able to monitor daily behaviour, but you can encourage your tenants to follow safe habits – like never covering heaters with clothes for instance.
You should also do a thorough check of any appliances or fixtures you’ve supplied. Inspect power cords for signs of fraying and check wall heaters for dust build-up or unusual smells, If your property has a fireplace, ensure the chimney has been cleaned in the past year and schedule the next cleaning service. Find more information on maintaining your property to a safe standard – including fire safety – on Fire Emergency NZ’s website here.
3. Review the Escape Plan and Signage
Now is a good time to walk through the property and make sure that escape routes are clear, windows open freely, and there are no obstacles that could delay a quick exit. If your rental property is a boarding house or has shared facilities, it may require formal signage for exits and assembly points.
Even in a small home, it’s important that tenants know exactly how to get out safely in an emergency. This includes understanding which doors or windows are escape routes, where keys are kept, and what to do if one exit is blocked by fire or smoke.
Think of your escape plan as a living document: something that gets updated as the property changes. If you’ve added new locks, fences, or security features since your last check, they could impact how easy it is to evacuate quickly.
4. Check Fire Extinguishers
If you’ve installed fire extinguishers in your rental property, now’s a great time to check they’re still in good condition. These tools can make all the difference in a small kitchen fire or when trying to stop a fire from spreading before help arrives, but only if they’re visible, accessible, and in working order.
Make sure extinguishers haven’t been moved or blocked by furniture or storage boxes. Look at the pressure gauge to confirm it’s still in the green zone, and check the date of the last service.
If you’re unsure how to properly inspect or replace extinguishers, Fireco can help with that – we service and supply extinguishers for property managers and landlords across the Auckland region.
5. Have a Fire Safety Conversation With Your Tenants
While your legal obligations as a landlord are important, one of the most effective ways to reduce fire risk is simply to open a conversation. Many tenants don’t realise the risks involved with certain winter habits, or they assume someone else is taking care of fire safety.
A quick message to your tenants, or a seasonal newsletter if you manage multiple properties, is a great way to share reminders like turning off appliances, using heaters safety, and not overloading outlets. Let them know that their safety matters, and that you’re taking fire safety seriously, too.
Ready for Winter? Fireco Can Help
Fireco helps landlords and property managers across Northland and Auckland stay on top of their fire safety obligations with smoke alarm installations, extinguisher supply and servicing, and more.
If you’re due for a winter fire safety check, or you simply want peace of mind that your rentals are protected, get in touch with our team today.
