Colorado winters bring cold nights, and with them come space heaters, fireplaces, candles and holiday lights. They make home feel cozy, but they also raise the risk of a home fire. In an HOA community, especially in condominiums and townhomes with shared walls and roofs, a fire that starts in one home can quickly affect the neighbors next door. A few simple habits go a long way toward keeping everyone safe.
Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Working alarms give you precious time to get out. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms monthly by pressing the test button, and replace batteries as needed. Alarms do not last forever, so check the manufacturer's date on each one and replace any that are past their recommended life. If you have gas appliances, a fireplace or an attached garage, a CO alarm near sleeping areas is especially important. In most communities, the alarms inside your home are the owner's responsibility.
Give space heaters room
Space heaters are a common cause of winter home fires. Fire safety experts commonly recommend keeping them at least three feet from anything that can burn, such as curtains, bedding, furniture and holiday decorations. Plug heaters directly into a wall outlet rather than an extension cord or power strip, choose a model that shuts off automatically if it tips over and turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
Keep the dryer clean
Lint is highly flammable. Clean the lint screen after every load and keep the area around your dryer free of clutter. Over time, lint also builds up inside the vent duct, so have it cleaned periodically. If clothes are taking longer to dry than they used to, a clogged vent may be the reason. In some communities the association maintains shared dryer vents, so ask your community manager if you are not sure who handles yours.
Fireplaces, grills and fire pits
If you have a wood-burning or gas fireplace, have it and the chimney inspected before heavy use, use a screen and let ashes cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container kept away from the building. Many HOA communities also have rules about grills, fire pits and open flames on balconies, patios and decks, and local fire codes may limit them too. Check your community's rules and regulations before you light up.
Decorate safely
Use holiday lights that are rated for their location, indoor or outdoor, and replace any strings with frayed wires or broken sockets. Do not overload outlets, and turn lights off when you go to bed or leave home. Never leave a candle burning unattended, and keep candles away from anything that can catch fire.
Know your exits and help protect shared areas
Make sure everyone in your home knows two ways out and where to meet outside. In buildings with shared hallways and stairwells, keep those paths clear and never prop open fire doors. If you notice a damaged fire extinguisher, an exit sign that is out or a fire door that does not close properly in a common area, report it to your community manager so it can be addressed.
In an emergency, call 911 first
If there is a fire or you suspect carbon monoxide, get everyone out and call 911. Once everyone is safe, contact your management company. For urgent after-hours issues affecting common areas, Accord owners can reach our after-hours emergency line at 720-259-8019.
Have a question? Just ask
Not sure about your community's rules on grills, fire pits or dryer vents? Submit a request through your HOA Portal, email info@accordhoa.com or call our office at 720-230-7303.
This article is general information only, not legal advice. Your community's governing documents and applicable Colorado law control; consult your association's attorney about specific situations.
