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What can we do about a neighbor who we think might accidentally start a cigarette fire?

What are some fireplace safety tips?

What are the commonsense steps to make my building safer?

What are some common fire safety tips?

Our neighbor cooking (boiling) meat in his garage. The smell is horrible and I believe it's a fire hazard. What should we do?

There is nothing definitive we know of that you can do. You can certainly consult a lawyer and discuss your legal options, though from what we have read, those options may be limited and not easily pursued.

The best advice should come from your local fire department, which can advise you on fire prevention tips and who to call if you're concerned about your neighbor's safety. If the fire department visits your premises, they may point out code violations that must be corrected, and they will also offer valuable prevention tips. For instance, when the fire department visited my building some years ago, they advised us to have our main fire alarm hooked up to an alarm monitoring system, which automatically contacts the local fire department if the alarm goes off.

In addition, here are a few specific suggestions to consider:

• Talk with the person you're concerned about. Perhaps he would be willing to smoke outside or only in his bathroom.
• Have your maintenance person install extra smoke and fire detectors in his unit.
• Call your neighbor's emergency contact and discuss your concerns for his safety with them. (If your condo association does not maintain a list of emergency numbers, it should do so.)

Because different localities have different codes and regulations with regard to fire safety, any effort to make your building safer should start with a call to the local fire department.

With winter here, it's time to start thinking about your fireplaces. These Fireplace Safety Tips are also available in our download folder for you to print and distribute to members of your condo association.

• Slightly open a window near the fireplace. As a fire burns, it needs air. If the fireplace is not given a free flow of air, your house will smell of smoke.
• When using the fireplace, maintain a moderate but bright and actively flaming fire. Hot air rises, cold air falls. If the fire is not hot enough, the cold air outside can push the smoke down.
• Make sure your damper is completely open. Water damage or soot buildup might prevent your damper from opening all the way.
• Have your chimney cleaned. The accumulation of soot seriously affects the way your chimney performs. A 1/2" buildup restricts the air flow by 17% for a typical masonry fireplace. Also, if your damper does not fully open, it may be time to have it cleaned.
• Do not use green or wet firewood. If your wood is not dry and well seasoned it makes more smoke than heat. Consider ordering next year's wood in Spring, to give it time to dry out. (Also, never burn a discarded Christmas tree in the fireplace. It can be a fire hazard.)
• Use a safety screen or glass door for protection from embers.
• Do not leave a fire or smoldering embers unattended.
• Do not close your damper until you are sure the fire is out.
• Do not burn wrapping paper, plastics, or use charcoal. These items may give off carbon monoxide or toxic chemicals in the smoke.
• Be careful in handling partially burned wood. The wood may still be smoldering and cause a serious burn.
• Keep a fire extinguisher on hand.
• Never overload your fireplace. A fire that's too large can damage your chimney.
• Do not use gasoline, lighter fluid, or other fuel to light a fire because the vapors might explode.
• Make sure you have nothing flammable too close to the fireplace. Don't keep newspapers and other items that might catch fire near the fireplace.

Here's a list of security ideas you've probably heard before:

• Tenants should empty their mailboxes daily and, if they're away, either ask a neighbor to empty it or ask the post office to hold the mail. (The post office hold-mail form is available in the Condopedia Download folder.)
• Know who you are buzzing into your complex. If your intercom doesn't work, get it fixed, but in the meantime, go to front door before letting someone in.
• If you see a stranger on your property, ask what they want or at least make eye contact so they know they have been seen.
• Make sure entranceways are well lit. If a bulb is broken, replace it right away.
• When you're not home, close any windows that can be accessed from ground level or from the fire escape. A smart thief can quickly enter an open window or climb a fire escape.
• Don't keep an address tag on your keychain. That way, if your keys are lost, it's less likely that someone else will use them.
• Make a point of knowing who your neighbors are, so that you can more easily identify strangers in your building and also can ask someone to watch your apartment when you go away.
• Don't hide keys above your front door frame, beneath your doormat, or anywhere else.
• Don't prop the building doors open. If you have workpeople who need to go in and out of the building, lend them a key. If you need to keep an exterior door open, stay by the door.

Contact your fire department to discuss local requirements and recommendations for fire safety. Fire safety regulations may vary, and if you do not comply, it could affect the way your insurer will handle fire damage.

• Make sure you have smoke alarms that work. There should be working smoke detectors in every apartment unit. Set up a schedule to replace the smoke alarm battery at least once per year and the smoke alarm itself every 5 to 8 years. The U.S. Fire Administration has a good article on smoke alarms. Some sources suggest you check the smoke alarm batteries every month.
• Your association is almost certainly required to have a fire extinguishers. Make sure you have them, and make sure they work. Companies that sell fire extinguishers (listed under fire equipment in the phone book) can help you get the appropriate equipment.
• Don't use barbecues in or under covered patios, balconies, covered walkways, or roof overhangs. When in use, barbecues should be located on ground level and be at least six feet away from the building.
• Do not park in front of fire hydrants and or in fire lanes.
• Never leave smoking materials burning or smoke in bed.
• Make sure you have a fire escape plan and practice it. Have at least two ways to get out of your apartment. Pick a family meeting place outside the apartment building.
• Don’t use elevators (they may take you right into the fire.)
• Make sure there’s a number on your apartment door so that, in case someone is trapped, the fire fighters or police officers can find the right apartment.
• If your building is gated, make sure someone is there to open to gate for the fire fighters.
• Get acquainted with the elderly and disabled people in your building. If there’s a fire, they may need your help to get out or to contact fire fighters.
• Don't assume someone has called 9-1-1. If you're not sure, call.

It seems there are at least three issues here: (1) how to handle an intrusive nuisance, (2) how to handle common safety issues, and (3) how to handle these as a condo association, making sure that owners (and renters) abide by local laws and establishing and enforcing reasonable condo rules.

For civility's sake, you might consider talking with your neighbor or asking your condo association to talk with your neighbor. If the problem can be solved in a friendly manner that doesn't generate tensions, that's the best solution for everyone. If your association has rules about cooking in the garage, this makes your task easier.

If that approach fails, call your local local fire department. Chances are, they will send someone out to inspect the situation. If your neighbor is violating local fire laws, they would give him/her a warning.

If they find your neighbor is not violating any of the local fire laws, contact your local health department, which may find the odor to be a hazard. (Your city or town hall switchboard should be able to direct you to the health department if you're not sure of its name.)