There are electrical power wires outside the upstairs window of our rental. Our tenant is concerned if he ever needed to jump out of the window in a fire. They have been there for 20 years. What can we do?
By william from Clermont, FL
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First I would look for another way to escape from the upper floor. If the the window with the electric wires are the only choice you may want to look at a folded up ladder that Loews sell. Keep the ladder in the box until you have to use it. The ladder has hooks that grab the window casing. Drop the rest of the ladder out the window. Then climb down the ladder. It will reach from the second floor to the ground. I have one in my upstairs bedroom in case of a fire.
Since you own the property, call the electric company and report the problem. The power lines are owned by the electric company and they should fix it.
If the power company won't help, ask the local fire department what to do and also ask for the fire marshals phone number to call, letting the power company know you are contacting the F.M.
It is more than likely a code violation to have electrical wires hanging in front of a window. If it's your house, you might be responsible for having them moved, or else the power company is responsible.
As Foxrun41 says, get the tenant a fold-down ladder. I had one, at that time it was $40, probably a bit more now. The tenant will have an option if, in fact, he ever has to jump (not a good idea from a second story) or climb down from his/her apartment and you won't have the horror of dealing with your town's administrative departments.
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