Space heaters are almost always attributed to causing deadly, so deciding to ban them altogether may be wise. We’ve all heard the news reports: a family goes to bed on a cold winter night, their space heater keeping the freezing air at bay – and they never wake up. Either the electric heater has malfunctioned and overflowed the home with toxic fumes, or it has ignited an electrical fire from which there is little hope of escape. Stories like these are all too well-known, and the last thing any Williamsburg property owner needs is to discover that such a tragedy has happened to their residents.
Safety hazards arise every year from the use of these space heaters; however, electric heaters are considered safer for residential use than fuel-based models. Nevertheless, even electric heaters must be used under the stringent guidelines and must always be in line with the recommended safety standards. Children and pets are primarily exposed to injury caused by space heaters, which puts any resident with a family or pet at risk. Also, there’s no guarantee that your residents will know or follow the recommended safety practices or use the space heater correctly, which may lead to dire consequences.
Banning space heaters is not only a wise precautionary measure but also an essential part of protecting yourself and your real estate investment. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission roughly over 25,000 residential fires are caused by space heaters each year. These fires result in more than 300 deaths and 6,000 emergency room visits annually. Although some of these injuries are burns from touching a space heater unit, others are far more serious. Hearing news reports about residential fires caused by space heaters make you question whether it is worth the risk.
As the rental property owner, you have the burden of responsibility when you allow such a high risk for your residents. Think about the liabilities that you could face. And although your landlord’s insurance covers the damage to the rental home itself, if a space heater has caused any loss of life or serious injury, that may result in further legal action against you. Lawsuits alleging negligence or worse could threaten not only your livelihood, but also your assets and, in some cases, your freedom.
Regular property evaluations are central to protecting your property from the hazards presented by space heaters. At Real Property Management VA Peninsula, regular evaluations are a foundational piece of our property management program. We believe that the safety of your residents is a top priority, as is protecting you and your investment from the dangers of noncompliance. Contact us online or call us at 757-251-9188 to learn more about what we can do for you.
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