Fire Prevention Week: Smoke Detectors, CO Alarms, and Rental Fire Safety

Fire Prevention Week  is October 4-10, and this year's theme is "Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower," which focuses on everyday charging habits that reduce fire risk. Here in Redding, we know how quickly fire can change lives. If you own a rental in Shasta County, Anderson, Palo Cedro, or Lake California, or you rent a home in Cottonwood or Shasta Lake, fire safety is a shared responsibility.

This guide covers who is responsible for what, how often to test your alarms, and how to protect yourself financially.

What California law requires of owners

Working alarms are not optional in a rental. A few key points:

• Alarms must work when a tenant moves in. When a new tenancy begins, the owner must ensure the smoke alarms are operable. public
• Placement matters. Smoke alarms are generally required in each sleeping room, outside sleeping areas, and on every level of the home.
• Carbon monoxide alarms are required too. California requires CO devices in existing dwellings, typically on each level and outside sleeping areas. They are required in homes with any fuel-burning appliance. (California Health & Safety Code, Sections 13113.7 and 17926)
• Battery rules. Battery-only smoke alarms must use a sealed battery that lasts at least 10 years. Combination smoke/CO alarms are allowed and popular with owners because they simplify upkeep.
• Owners must fix reported problems. The owner or agent must correct any reported deficiency, and is not in violation for a faulty alarm they weren't told about. That makes tenant reporting important. (Health and Safety Code section 13113.7)
  
  

Owner tip: Document everything. Record the alarm locations, manufacture dates, and test results at move-in and at every inspection. If an incident ever occurs, a paper trail is your best protection.

What tenants are responsible for

• Report problems right away. Tenants are responsible for notifying the owner or manager if they learn an alarm is inoperable. Do it in writing so there's a record. California Public Law Health and Safety Code section 13113.7
• Never disable or tamper with alarms. Pulling a battery to stop a cooking chirp may feel harmless, but tampering with a smoke detector or fire protection device is a misdemeanor under California Penal Code Section 148.4. More importantly, it removes the one thing that wakes you at 2 a.m.
• Test regularly and keep the area clear. Keep dust, paint, and stored items off the alarm.
  
  SMOKE DETECTOR, CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM & FIRE EXTINGUISHER SELF-CERTIFICATION & INSPECTION FORM
  
  

Safe charging: this year's theme

Phones, laptops, e-bikes, scooters, and power tools all run on lithium-ion batteries. They are generally safe when used properly, but damaged batteries or improper charging can cause them to overheat and ignite.

Simple habits help:

• Use the charger that came with the device, or one certified for it.
• Charge on a hard surface, not on a bed, couch, or pile of clothes.
• Don't charge e-bikes or scooters while you sleep, and don't block your exit with them.
• Stop using any battery that swells, leaks, smells odd, or gets unusually hot.
  
  

For owners: Consider adding e-bike and scooter charging and storage guidelines to your lease. It's a growing issue, and a clear policy protects everyone.

Fall and winter fire risks in our area

As temperatures drop across Shasta County, heating season brings its own risks:

• Space heaters: Plug them directly into the wall, never an extension cord, and keep them at least 3 feet from anything flammable.
• Wood stoves and fireplaces: Have chimneys inspected and cleaned before the first fire, and check your lease for rules on their use.
• Generators during outages: If power is shut off, run generators outdoors only, well away from windows and doors. Never run one in a garage. This is a leading cause of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Candles: Skip them as outage lighting. Use flashlights or battery lanterns.
• Wildfire readiness: Keep gutters and roofs clear of pine needles and leaves, and review your evacuation plan.