Hiring a Lawyer after a Slip and Fall Accident
Working with legal counsel after a slip and fall injury has many benefits. Do not let your rights and interests go unprotected – enlist the professional help and guidance of our steadfast attorneys.
Get your free, immediate case evaluation
12/10/2021
by Shulman & Hill
The risk for fires can be greater during the winter. New Yorkers should understand how to use appliances, candles, and similar objects safely during these months as well as familiarize themselves with the fire prevention measures their landlords should be following.
Below freezing temperatures are common during New York City winters. January and February, the coldest months, can regularly dip down into the single digits, or even reach negative temperatures at night. Poorly insulated buildings, neglect by building owners, and unfair practices all too often leave residents quite literally in the cold.
The lack of heat can incentivize the use of faulty space heaters or other risky techniques to keep warm. Winter also brings with it other fire safety challenges, such as an increased use of candles, and dry combustible materials like pine boughs being stored in indoor spaces. As such, the risk for fires can be greater during the winter. New Yorkers should understand how to use appliances, candles, and similar objects safely during these months as well as familiarize themselves with the fire prevention measures their landlords should be following.
New York City heat regulations established that landlords are required to heat indoor spaces. The minimum acceptable temperature between 6 am and 10 pm is 68 degrees Fahrenheit, once the outdoor temperature dips below 55 degrees. When the weather dips below 40 outside, indoor spaces must be kept at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit between 10 pm and 6 am.
If your heat is not on or does not seem to be working and the temperatures outside are dropping, your landlord must fix the problem and keep your living space warm and safe. If they are not responding, you can report the situation to 311. This New York City hotline has advocates available to help get your heat turned back on. 311 is also available to help those who are having difficulty paying for heat or repairing heating equipment.
Until your heat is restored, use alternative sources of heat as safely as possible. Refer to the tips below to help stay warm and safe.
While it may be tempting to use space heaters and candles to keep warm during the colder months, the improper use of these devices can also dramatically increase your fire safety risk. Half of all home heating fires occur during the months of December, January, and February. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, one in every seven home fires, and tragically one in every five home fire deaths, involves heating equipment.
Of heating equipment, electric space heaters are generally associated with some of the highest levels of risk. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that space heaters cause on average 1,200 fires per year. You should always read all of the directions on your individual unit before use. Some other best practices for space heaters, electric blankets, candles, and more include:
In addition to providing heat and ensuring tenants do not feel like they need to resort to space heaters, ovens, and other unsafe heating methods to stay warm, landlords and property owners are also required to take basic measures to help prevent a fire from occurring and/or from injuring tenants.
These fire prevention and safety measures may include the following:
If a property owner failed to follow reasonable fire safety measures and you or a loved one were injured in a fire as a result, you may be eligible for compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.
Stay safe and warm this holiday season. When using space heaters or other supplementary heat sources, like electric blankets or candles, follow best practices and read the device’s directions carefully.
If you are ever injured in a fire and your landlord failed to take reasonable measures to prevent it from occurring, you may be entitled to compensation. The fire and burn injury lawyers at Shulman & Hill are here to help you pursue compensation and justice for your injuries and losses. Contact us for a free legal consultation to learn more.