While we hope it never happens, a fire could occur at your rental. We want our residents to remain safe in the event of this type of emergency. If a fire does happen to occur, please follow the steps below.

1. Get yourself to safety. We know your belongings are important to you, but it is most important to get yourself to safety in the event of a fire. If you live in a complex with an elevator, do not use it—only use the stairs. Once you are out of the building, do not go back inside for any reason.
2. Call 911. Once you are in a safe location, please call 911 as soon as you are able. The proper emergency personnel will be able to respond to the fire quickly and help prevent the fire from spreading as well as help any individuals who may need medical attention.
3. Alert someone from MiddleTown. We should be the second call you make, as it is imperative that you call 911 to address the fire first. We ask that you please call 765-289-7618, select the option for your location, then select the option for current residents. If it is after our normal operating hours, please call our emergency maintenance line at 765-587-0280. Never report a fire through a work order on your AppFolio online portal, as we need to be alerted immediately and this will only put it in our maintenance queue.

Fire Safety Tips

There are precautions you can take to help prevent fires at your rental. While they do not ensure that a fire will not occur, they can help to keep you and your belongings safe.

• Ensure smoke detectors are working correctly. Per our Resident Handbook (page 6), which all residents agree to follow in Section 1.43 of their lease, it is the resident's responsibility to test smoke detectors to ensure they are functioning properly. We ask that you test them once every 6 months. It is also the resident's responsibility to replace the batteries in smoke detectors when needed. If a smoke detector stops working entirely, please notify us as soon as possible.
• Have a fire escape plan. Having an escape plan in mind for when an emergency occurs can help you get to safety faster. If you are in an apartment building, it is important that you note where the emergency exits and stairs are.
• Use surge protector to protect your home. Surge protectors block or diffuse voltage spikes and surges that can damage items using electricity. Do not confuse them with a power strip—they do not offer the same protection!
• Don't overload circuits or extension cords. Extension cords can overheat and cause fires. Make sure to use them properly and check the capacity that they can handle. If an extension cord is hot, it is a warning sign that it may be overloaded. Certain devices such as portable heaters, hair dryers, toasters, other power strips, and microwaves should generally be plugged directly into a wall rather than into an extension cord.
• Check electrical cords for appliances for any fraying or cracking. Damaged cords and plugs are a fire hazard and must be unplugged and replaced immediately.
• Don't run cords underneath rugs or between rooms. Extension cords can generate heat, which could start a fire. They can also be damaged by foot traffic.
• Be careful when using portable heaters. Never place portable heaters near flammable materials. Turn them off when leaving the room or going to bed. They should be monitored when in use.
• Keep lighters and matches away from children. Allowing children to play with fire is dangerous and can result in both damage and injury. It is best to keep these materials away from children, especially when they are unattended.
• Don't leave candles, incense, or other objects with an open flame unattended. Candles and incense should be kept at least a foot away from anything that could burn. Candles should not be burnt for more than 4 hours.
• Be careful when cooking. If you are cooking, do not leave your food unattended while you are preparing it. Remain at home when the stove is on and use timers to ensure food does not burn and cause a fire.

If you notice any potential fire hazards that need our maintenance team's attention, please notify us immediately by calling the proper number to have a work order submitted.

• During our office hours, please call 765-289-7618, select the option for your location, then select the option for current residents.
• If it is after our normal operating hours, please call our emergency maintenance line at 765-587-0280.