Red Cross urges renters to consider fire safety

Fires that occur inmulti-unit apartment buildings and high-rise units are especially injurious and cause more damage than all other structure fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. To compound the issue, renters are often confused about whose responsibility it is to install and maintain fire safety equipment.

The American Red Cross is urging renters to consider fire safety when choosing a place to live and use the online renter's checklist to help prevent fires and be safer in the event there's a fire in their apartment buildings.

"The Jersey Coast Chapter will always be there to provide relief to those whose homes are affected by fires in Monmouth and Ocean Counties," said Bill Murray, CEO. "But the Jersey Coast Chapter is also committed to providing residents with vital preparedness information so they can take action to prevent a home fire before it happens."

The Red Cross recommends that all renters conduct an on-site inspection of the property before signing a lease to make sure there are no visible fire hazards and that fire safety equipment is present and working. Renters should ask to see a copy of the building's evacuation plan and find out who is responsible for maintaining the fire safety systems. More information can be found on a free, online renter's checklist at www.redcross.org/homefires.

The Red Cross depends on the support of area residents to respond to neighbors who are affected by home fires. To make a financial donation please visit www.jerseycoast redcross.org, or call (732) 493- 9100, or mail a check to ARC - Jersey Coast Chapter, P. O. Box 131, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724-0131. For more Red Cross fire safety and preparedness information, visit www.redcross.org/homefires or call (732) 493-9100.