When making a disaster preparedness plan, don’t forget your furry and winged family members. Pets are a growing segment of the multifamily population and need to have a kit and a plan, too, in case of emergency.

Many times, pets are purposely or inadvertently left behind in natural or man-made disasters because caring for them creates its own set of obstacles. And home disaster relief kits are usually devoid of dog chow and tins of tender morsels.

When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, numerous citizens placed themselves in harm’s way because they didn’t want to leave their animals behind. Many others were forced to leave without their pets, adding to the anguish for these hurricane victims who had already lost so much.

The American Red Cross understands the importance of pets to their owners. In addition to our pet and disaster safety resources, we’re working with public and private organizations, as well as individuals dedicated to animal care in local communities, to assist concerned pet owners during disasters.

Others are helping, too.

In 2006, Congress passed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act, requiring state and local governments to incorporate pets and service animals into disaster planning. Like the Red Cross, the ASPCA offers a preparedness plan.

Preparing your pets for a disaster is much like formulating a plan for yourself. Just follow the Red Cross’s three easy preparedness steps: Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed.

For starters, never leave your pets behind. Always take them with you because they cannot cope by themselves. Pets are not allowed in human shelters due to health department regulations; only service animals can stay with their human.  If you can’t bear to be separated from Fido or Fluffy, seeking out pet-friendly hotels in advance can make relocation easier and minimize stress for both of you. Create a list of hotels within an hour’s drive that accept pets and put that information with your family disaster plan.

Also, build a kit. Get a basin and start by putting food and water in it. Do five things a week. Add to it. It doesn’t need to be done all at once.

Some things your kit should include:

• Sturdy leashes, harnesses and/or carriers for transport
• Food, drinking water, bowls, cat litter/pan and a manual can opener
• Medications and copies of medical records stored in a water-proof container
• First aid kit
• Current photos of your pet
• Information on feeding schedules and contact information for your veterinarian

And most of all, don’t forget the catnip toys or tethered balls!

For most people, the holiday season represents a time for family festivities, good cheer and decking the halls. Christmas trees or menorahs are put up, wreaths welcome visitors at the front door, and strings of sparkly, blinking lights drape balconies and clubhouses at apartment complexes.

But what few consider is that these decorations can contribute significantly to holiday fires. Dry holiday trees and lighted candles comprise some of the greatest dangers.

Is your apartment property ready for the holidays?

The statistics are a stark reminder that decorations – and other holiday festivities – should be approached with care.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 240 home fires per year that started with Christmas trees from 2005-09. Nearly half of these fires were caused by electrical problems, and one in four resulted from a heat source that was too close to the tree.

Here’s a telling video shows how quickly a dry tree can go up in flames. Also, half of all candle fires start because candles are placed too close to flammable objects.

By following a few fire prevention tips and measures suggested by the American Red Cross and NFPA, the risk of fire resulting from holiday fun can be greatly reduced. Here are 10 tips that property owners and managers can use to educate apartment residents and staff when decking the halls:

• When using an artificial tree, wreath or garland, be sure that the product is labeled, certified or identified by the manufacturer as fire-retardant.
• When choosing a fresh tree, make sure the green needles don’t fall off when touched. Before placing it in the stand, cut 1-2” from the base of the trunk. Add water to the tree stand, and make sure someone is responsible for watering the tree daily.
• Make sure the tree and other holiday decorations are not blocking an exit, and that they are at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, space heaters, radiators, candles and heat vents or lights.
• Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory, and make sure you know whether they are designed for indoor or outdoor use. Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords, or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini-light sets or a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.
• Never use candles to decorate the tree. Artificial candles are an available and safer alternative.
• Never leave children or pets alone in a room with a lit candle.
• Always turn off all holiday lights before leaving the home, office or clubhouse, and before going to bed.
• After the holidays, get rid of live decorations. Dried-out trees, wreaths, and garlands are a fire hazard and should not be left in the home, garage, storage building, or placed outside on the property.
• Do not hang decorations from fire sprinklers. Also, make sure smoke alarms are in working order.
• When hanging decorations, use the correct ladder for the job and have help on hand, especially for tough jobs.

The holidays can quickly turn from joyful to tragic when a fire occurs. By taking simple precautions, property owners and apartment residents can avoid potential fire hazards and make this time of year a healthy and happy one.

When we hear the term first responder, we generally think of the brave men and women who respond to an accident or major disaster and who are trained to handle emergencies: police, fire crews, and EMTs/paramedics.

What if the roads are blocked or communications are down? But what happens first responders cannot get to your apartment property in a timely manner for whatever reason?

Most likely, apartment residents will turn to the on-site property staff for assistance, guidance, and, if necessary, comfort. Property managers, groundskeepers, and office personnel can be suddenly thrust into the role of first responders to provide immediate assistance to residents before emergency personnel arrive on the scene.

And they need to be ready.

Here’s how to make sure your apartment property personnel are properly trained and ready to hold down the fort until the professional first responders arrive.

Create an Emergency Response Team

The role of a first responder can be as simple as directing people to a safe spot or as life-preserving as initiating CPR.

Forming a Citizen Emergency Response Team, or CERT, composed of selected staff members is a great start to providing assistance before professional first responders arrive. CERT members don’t need to be high-ranking managers; employees of all walks who are willing to make a difference and know their assigned roles can be trained. CERT members can perform basic emergency functions and be extremely beneficial for properties large or small when emergency crews aren’t immediately available or are overwhelmed by the extent of the disaster.

Team members are trained in fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Their duties may include monitoring utilities, enforcing evacuation plans, and checking on residents. Even the simple act of checking to be sure the environment is safe for walking around and identifying dangerous obstacles like downed power lines that can create life-threatening issues is a critical service. For more information on CERT, visit www.citizencorps.gov/cert/.

Create a Disaster Response Plan

If your apartment property does not choose to form a CERT, as a property manager, you still should prepare a disaster response plan and form a team to implement it. CPR training, if a program is not already in place on the property, should be a top priority. Then, using the information provided at www.ready.gov/business to create your plan, determine what your emergency response team will do first when disaster strikes. For example:

• Check for damage in the office.
• If electrical power is out, turn off the main power switch.
• Know where to turn off the gas if told to do so by city, county, or state officials, or if you smell the “rotten egg” odor that is added to natural gas. Remember: once you turn off the gas you will not be able to turn it back on. Only certified technicians from your gas company to do that.
• Have a communications plan. All of today’s social media options – plus standbys like cell phones and two-way radios – can be useful in communicating during a disaster. A good Wi-Fi connection can be golden, as can be extra batteries for cell phones and laptops.
• Know how to work the system. Even if technology is working during a disaster, often phone lines and cell towers are reserved for use by emergency and public safety personnel, or simply jammed with locals trying to reach loved ones or additional help. You may avoid that busy signal by calling someone out of state to relay status updates or reach additional parties. Many corporate offices are located out of state, so chances of getting through are actually better. In fact, your emergency plan should specify who the out-of-state emergency contact is, and that information should be provided to all staff members so they can check in.

The Red Cross provides a free, online tool to help you determine your property’s disaster readiness. Visit www.readyrating.org to get started today.

Create an Emergency Kit for On-Site Staff

And don’t forget to make a plan to personally care for the on-site staff. Keeping staff going during a disaster is imperative. Designate an emergency response closet or storage area and stock it with essentials like:

• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Battery-operated or hand-cranked radios to get weather reports (some of them even have a USB port so you can charge cell phones)
• Three gallons of water per staff member per day for washing and drinking
• Non-perishable foods
• Cleaning agents
• Buckets and liners to be used at toilets
• Emergency blankets
• First-aid kit

Being prepared is one thing, but providing for those who can help so many others through a difficult time is just as essential. Residents may be counting on your on-site personnel for the help they need.

In association with National Fire Prevention month, Property Management Insider is featuring a series of fire awareness and prevention articles.

Assessing your ability to escape a burning building probably isn’t something you think about every day.  However, a raging fire is no match for any one, not even the most fleet of foot.

The American Red Cross and the National Fire Prevention Association regularly offer residents valuable guidance on creating an evacuation plan, as well as many other tips on smoke detectors, fire alarms, lighting exit doors, automatic sprinkler systems, and fire extinguishers.

But excessive flames and heat may prevent a resident who lives in an upper story from following the most detailed evacuation plan on foot. This is particularly true for a growing segment today – the many senior-living and assisted-care communities housed in multi-story apartment buildings.

For a resident with mobility issues, evacuating a burning building can be challenging. The same can be said for more able-bodied residents who live above the first floor, especially because elevators must not be used when there is a fire.  Fires may affect electrical systems, causing elevators to stop working and trapping anyone who is inside.

Here are three useful products that can help residents, particularly those who may need assistance, evacuate from upper stories more safely:

Emergency Evacuation Chairs

These chairs – sometimes referred to as stair chairs – enable residents to ride down a flight of stairs more safely. Chairs are typically equipped with rear rubber belt thread that enables residents to recline back and ride down even the tallest set of stairs. The chair pivots tightly to maneuver around landings and can roll freely across most surfaces.  Standard wheelchairs would be difficult to maneuver down stairs without pitching the passenger forward and possibly causing a serious fall.

These evacuation chairs usually don’t require assembly, are collapsible for easy storage and can be purchased online. Most can be operated by one person but the passenger may require additional assistance depending on his or her weight. Residents who likely will need to use this evacuation method should designate a neighbor or family member to assist in an emergency and practice in advance. Chairs should meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

Wheel Chairs

Disabled residents likely will have their own wheel chairs, but having extras on hand could mean saving a life. There are also special wheel chairs – similar to evacuation chairs – that are designed to go down stairs. They look like a wheel chair, but the wheels are angled differently to prevent pitching the person forward the way a normal wheel chair would.  The front wheels are lower than the back so that they touch the stair below and keep the person level in the chair.

Emergency Evacuation Ladders

Several commercial evacuation ladders fit over window sills and enable evacuation from upper stories. Tenants who live in upper floors should be encouraged to purchase at least one of these ladders and, ideally, one for each bedroom in case residents in the unit need to escape separately. The end of the ladder has brackets to fit over the window. Ladders are lowered to the ground and the resident climbs down. Most ladders roll up and can be stored under the bed.  Getting the right length is critical, because a third-floor resident doesn’t want to get a ladder that will only reach the second floor. As with any evacuation or fire prevention tool, practice is encouraged, especially for residents with children.

As a general rule, property owners in the multifamily industry should consult with local fire officials to understand available firefighting equipment for multi-story buildings. Apartment complex managers and property owners definitely should be familiar with all evacuation options for residents living in upper stories in the event of a fire or any disaster. Following these and other suggestions can make a big difference for your tenants and staff during an emergency evacuation.

In association with National Fire Prevention month, Property Management Insider is featuring a series of fire awareness and prevention articles.

A dicey economy and interest in a bounty of television cooking shows have armchair chefs around the globe fondue-ing and flambé-ing from the comforts of their own kitchen. But that open flame under the saucepan is a reminder that most home fires start in the kitchen.

Increased cooking in apartment units and around the clubhouse can be especially daunting for property managers. But by passing along to your residents some simple and important rules offered by the American Red Cross and the National Fire Protection Association, cooking and kitchen fires can be avoided.

Stay in the Kitchen

Don’t forget about that boiling pot of gumbo. People will put something on the stove, walk away, and forget it. The pot boils over, oily or greasy liquid hits the heat source, and you have a big problem. It’s easy to get distracted, but keep close tabs on anything that’s in the oven or on the stove. This includes the microwave. If something catches on fire in the microwave, leave the door closed and turn off the microwave. Thus you are eliminating the source of heat and smothering the oxygen supply.

Be Alert

If you’re sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop. Use a microwave to prepare hot meals or order in your favorite food.

Be Tidy

A pot holder or dish towel that’s right next to the heating element or open flame can spell disaster. Keep all materials, including plastic ware and packaging, away from the heat. A greasy plastic or wooden spoon can get hot enough to ignite.

Use a Timer

Regularly check food that is simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling. And use a timer as a reminder that food is cooking. Periodically check timers to make sure they are working.

Beware of Grease

A lot of people have heard the fallacy that you can smother a grease fire by spreading baking soda or flour over it. Not true! The only way to smother a grease fire is to put a lid on the pan, thereby cutting off the oxygen to the fire, then turn off the heat source. If flames continue to come around the sides of the lid, the fire is too big and you should evacuate the home immediately and call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number for the fire department. As a general rule, keep a lid nearby to contain small grease fires.

Dress the Part

Ever notice that a chef’s cooking smock usually has shortened, tapered sleeves? This is so clothing won’t dangle next to a heat source and potentially catch on fire. Avoid wearing long sleeves or baggy clothing while cooking.

If you do have a fire and your efforts to extinguish it are failing, get out of the kitchen and close the door behind you to contain the fire. Have everyone leave the house, then call 9-1-1 or your local emergency fire response team.

Here’s to happy and safe cooking!

In association with National Fire Prevention month, Property Management Insider is featuring a series of fire awareness and prevention articles.

Apartment fires can start anywhere on a complex: in units, on the grounds, in offices, or common areas. The most common fires are kitchen fires, but there are many other areas where a dwelling can go up in flames.

Given we’re in National Fire Prevention month, now is a great time to look at ways to maintain a fire-resistant apartment community. Prevention is a responsibility that should be shared by both the property manager (and staff) and the resident, but the on-site staff at an apartment property can take the lead by following a few key steps, many of which are can be found on the American Red Cross and the National Fire Protection Association websites.

Perform Routine Property Inspections

Routinely inspect the residential property for any kind of broken wiring or flammable materials being stored near heat sources. Make sure that cleaning supplies, any kind of paint, paint thinner, or paint remover are stored at least three feet away from heat sources. Check laundry rooms for accumulation of dust and lint, which can be ignited by hot dryers. Have the dryer vents cleaned on a regular basis.

Be Familiar with Local Fire Codes

Codes can change. Make friends with the local fire department inspectors so that you fully understand compliance.

Maintain Sprinkler Systems

Apartment units in some areas are required by code to have sprinkler systems and have them inspected periodically. In between inspections, property owners should make sure the system is functional at all times. Also, knowledge of the access code is imperative.

Check Fire Alarms & Smoke Detectors

If there are fire alarms on the property, make sure inspections are current and that they are in working order. And while you’re at it, make sure the smoke detectors in common areas have fresh batteries.

Educate Residents and Staff

Property staff, whether office workers or the folks in maintenance, should be able to identify fire hazards. Educate residents about fire safety by inviting the local fire department or Red Cross for a seminar. The fire department may be able to park an engine out front, which will get the kids involved as well.

Inspect Fire Extinguishers

Inspect fire extinguishers monthly or quarterly to make sure the pressure and contents are optimum. There are local businesses with whom you can contract to have this done, and they can recharge extinguishers as needed. Have the fire department meet with residents to demonstrate how to properly work a fire extinguisher. Most household fire extinguishers empty in about eight seconds, and are not effective – as is true of any fire extinguisher – if not sprayed at the base of the fire. Staff should know how to operate all fire extinguishers on the property.

Enforce Outdoor Grilling Policies

Visually inspect balconies for grills, smokers, cookers, chimineas, or other outdoor fireplaces. Even if your residential property has a policy that prohibits outdoor or balcony grilling, often residents may not be familiar with it or choose to ignore the rules.

Owners and managers of an apartment complex need to not only be prepared in the event of a fire but know how to prevent one. Being familiar with what to look for and understanding how fires start go a long way toward preventing a disaster. Following these and other steps can make a difference for you and your residents.

With the changing seasons, we’ve been getting ready for the fall weather and, of course, football.  This seasonal change and its generally more benign weather present an opportunity to ask a question that may not be on many peoples’ minds… “Are your apartment communities ready for a disaster?”

Hurricanes, tornadoes, and tsunamis of late have been sobering reminders of the need for disaster preparedness at apartment communities as entire cities and communities have become their own Ground Zero. The tragedy in Joplin, Mo., and flooding in the Missouri Valley and along the East Coast have kept relief agencies active over the summer.

As a property manager, how prepared are you, your employees, or your residents?  Not sure? Well, the American Red Cross can help you find out.

Our free Ready Rating™ program is designed to get schools and businesses disaster-ready through a 123-point self assessment that identifies levels of preparedness. By going at your own pace, you’ll gain access to tips and best practice information and build a plan.

Through the Ready Rating Program, property management companies can establish a meaningful operations plan that includes determining where employees work off property, setting up phone systems and meeting the needs of residents in the event of a disaster. Since the program is Internet-based, plans can be accessed from a smart phone or iPad. The plan is literally at your fingertips.  Also, the property management company can look at each apartment property’s plans and determine the level of readiness.  Ready Rating constantly keeps track of where your properties are in their disaster preparedness plan, allowing for close monitoring of specific areas of improvement and action plans.

Disaster Preparedness is Worth the Investment

Making the investment in disaster preparedness can go a long way toward not only human survival but being in a position to rebuild after man or Mother Nature deals a crushing blow. The facts are sobering: following a natural or man-made disaster, 15-40 percent of businesses fail. And 94 percent of small business owners feel a disaster could seriously disrupt their business within the next two years.

With the economy the way it is, we’re cutting back and doing more with less, and it’s difficult to find the time to do the things that don’t reward us immediately. Also, it’s perfectly natural to say a disaster isn’t going to happen to you, and, if it does, that you’ll deal with it as it comes. However, taking the time to prepare your property and staff can help keep your residents in their homes while you continue the normal course of business.

If you already have a plan, great! The user-friendly Ready Rating program can complement existing preparedness activities.

If you don’t have a disaster preparedness plan, please consider signing up at http://readyrating.org and taking the survey to find out how well your property is prepared for a natural disaster.

What are your thoughts about disaster preparedness? Are your properties prepared? If you use Ready Rating to help get your apartment properties ready, please share your thoughts.