Many apartment dwellers remember to lock the doors and windows to prevent theft. But what about fire prevention? Even though you don’t own the building, all of your valuable assets reside there, which is worth protecting. Here are some fire safety tips for renters that you may find helpful.

·        Something as simple as abandoning a cooking meal on the stove to answer the phone could be the source of a fire. Be mindful to minimize similar instances of carelessness. Turn pan handles inward to prevent accidental tipping. Teach kids that they are not allowed to come within three feet of a hot stove.

·        It’s up to the property manager to ensure that working smoke alarms are present in the rental unit. However, it may be up to you to change the batteries as needed. No matter the terms of your lease, ensure that the smoke alarms are always in working condition.

·        Burning candles is a great way to fill your unit with a delightful aroma. But open flames always create a certain level of risk. Keep combustibles like furniture and blankets at least three feet away from a burning candle. Place candles out of reach of children and pets. And most importantly, ensure that candles are fully extinguished before leaving or going to sleep.

·        Even though you take precaution, your unit may be affected if a fire breaks out in a neighboring unit. Prepare for the worst. All sensitive documents—birth certificates, social security cards, passports, insurance information and more—should either be stored in a fireproof safe or in a safe deposit box. It’s also prudent to scan digital copies and upload them to a cloud drive that you can access anywhere.

·        Perhaps your most important protection against the damaging effects of fire is renters insurance. This policy helps reimburse you for covered losses so you can replace damaged assets and recover from the disaster.

Get the coverage you need. Call Sam Buentello Insurance Agency at 512-646-2691 for more information on Cedar Park renters insurance.