Consider these two simple fire prevention remedies...

There are a number of things that apartment managers can do to reduce the risk of their tenants and buildings becoming a kitchen fire statistic:

* Check on the status of the smoke detectors in every unit. Try exchanging the ionization detector for a photoelectric one (less likely to sound a false alarm, and may prevent batteries from being removed). Ionization detectors should never be installed closer than 20 feet from any kitchen or bathroom.

* Encourage tenants to use a “timer EVERY time” they cook. If there isn’t a timer built into the stove, it may be a good investment to keep a supply of inexpensive timers on hand for tenants to purchase when they rent a unit or to give as safe-cooking “gift-reminders”. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), unattended cooking accounts for about 60% of range or stovetop fires, 77% of cooking-fire injuries and 88% of cooking related deaths.