Have you ever wondered why the insurance carrier for your condominium association recommends instillation of fire extinguishers on community buildings? It seems like a burdening expense, aesthetic eyesore, and an attractive nuisance. Board members often share that they believe such an addition simply invites vandalism. No one, they say, has experienced the actual benefit of the HOA installed and maintained fire extinguishers. Well, don’t say that to the residents of a small community we insure in San Diego County, California.

As folks returned home from work and began the regular duties of homelife, the smell of dinner in the making was permeated by the odor of burning chemicals. The shrill, eardrum-piercing scream of smoke alarms quickly followed. Now, while hearing a smoke alarm go off around dinner time isn’t beyond the realm of possibility, it was the offensive odor that turned folks’ attention. These residents know each other. One or two opened their front doors to see smoke was coming from unit #508, where a man lived with his elderly mother. They jumped into action, grabbing fire extinguishers that were installed on their building. They approached to find the front door unpassable; the heat and smoke pushing through the seams of the door frame. A window just to the side of the door was smashed, and neighbors reached in to spray the flames with the fire extinguishers, while others helped the residents evacuate over a balcony. Thankfully, the fire was put out by the fast-acting neighbors.

The chemical smell, it turns out, was because the fire was of an electrical nature, caused by the battery of a scooter used by the elderly woman residing in the unit. Different fire extinguishers are able to put out different kinds of fires, so it was lucky for everyone that the association had multi-purpose extinguishers that could be used on all types of fires, and that those extinguishers had been inspected, serviced, and/or replaced as needed.

For all fires, folks should be sure to evacuate and call the fire department immediately, and choose to use a fire extinguisher only when it is safe to do so and when the fire is contained to a small area. Fires can move quickly and unexpectedly. If there is any question of safety, get out. The value of your life is immeasurable.

All in all, though, this was a beautiful reminder of what people can do when they know and care for each other and are willing to step up and help when their neighbors are in need. It also underscores the need for emergency planning and preparedness.

Michael Berg, MBA, CRIMS, CMCA is the Owner of Berg Insurance Agency, and may be reached at michael@berginsurance.com.