Thursday
Jun122008
How My Apartment Could Have Burned Down
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What are the best options for an NYC apartment-dweller?
Notify super?
Write management?
Are there independent things I can do to protect myself and my property? Any super high quality powerstrips with built-in electrical fire prevention I can install? I really don't want to be killed by bad wiring. I at least want to visit Cuba first.
Strange smell and a failing air conditioner led to this discovery.
What are the best options for an NYC apartment-dweller?
Notify super?
Write management?
Are there independent things I can do to protect myself and my property? Any super high quality powerstrips with built-in electrical fire prevention I can install? I really don't want to be killed by bad wiring. I at least want to visit Cuba first.
tagged 
Apartment, Danger, Electrical Fire, NYC, Safety, Scary, Wiring in New York Life
Apartment, Danger, Electrical Fire, NYC, Safety, Scary, Wiring in New York Life 
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Reader Comments (13)
I never thought I'd say this, but look like you and the Heritage Foundation have something in common.
http://www.drudgereportarchives.com/data/2008/06/12/20080612_192144_flash6.htm">http://www.drudgereportarchives.com/data/2008/0...
I never thought I'd say this, but look like you and the Heritage Foundation have something in common.
http://www.drudgereportarchives.com/data/2008/06/12/20080612_192144_flash6.htm">http://www.drudgereportarchives.com/data/2008/0...
ok that is scary
ok that is scary
That is scary considering the fire on the floor below you a few months back.
The super is useless - our fridge broke two weeks ago and nothing has been done.
Management is likely to evict you if you make a fuss.
The best thing to do is make sure you have a power strip with the right voltage capacity on it. Any major hardware store will have them. They are $$$, but cheaper than having to replace all your stuff.
Renter's insurance is also a good idea. Plumbing and the radiators are highly suspect in the building too.
That is scary considering the fire on the floor below you a few months back.
The super is useless - our fridge broke two weeks ago and nothing has been done.
Management is likely to evict you if you make a fuss.
The best thing to do is make sure you have a power strip with the right voltage capacity on it. Any major hardware store will have them. They are $$$, but cheaper than having to replace all your stuff.
Renter's insurance is also a good idea. Plumbing and the radiators are highly suspect in the building too.
yikes, that's scary. were your running an AC through that power strip? the breaker on your power strip *should* have tripped before fire occurred, but using a power strip at all is a bad idea.
Get a heavy-duty appliance extension cord and run it direct to a wall outlet. you can find these at most hardware stores; they have thicker conductors and only one plug/socket. One AC unit can draw a lot of current; you want it to have as direct and beefy a connection to the wall as possible.
yikes, that's scary. were your running an AC through that power strip? the breaker on your power strip *should* have tripped before fire occurred, but using a power strip at all is a bad idea.
Get a heavy-duty appliance extension cord and run it direct to a wall outlet. you can find these at most hardware stores; they have thicker conductors and only one plug/socket. One AC unit can draw a lot of current; you want it to have as direct and beefy a connection to the wall as possible.
thanks so much for the suggestion. i did have the AC plugged into that power
strip but with no other items sharing the strip.
thanks so much for the suggestion. i did have the AC plugged into that power
strip but with no other items sharing the strip.
Nice, goes to show you the state of some of these buildings.
Austin McDonnell
http://apartmentloanpro.com">http://apartmentloanpro.com
Get a heavy-duty appliance extension cord and run it direct to a wall outlet. you can find these at most hardware stores; they have thicker conductors and only one plug/socket. One AC unit can draw a lot of current; you want it to have as direct and beefy a connection to the wall as possible.
yeah go heavey dusty, industrial strength stuff, don't go cheap on them