DEAR ABBY: My daughter rents a second-floor apartment with her two little girls. The tenant on the first floor is on oxygen and smokes cigarettes. I am concerned about the risk of an explosion that could injure my family upstairs.
My daughter would like to move, but her lease won't be up until January. What should we do? I don't believe she can afford a lawyer unless legal aid is available to her. I find the situation scary. -- WORRIED IN OHIO
DEAR WORRIED: I find it scary, too. Has your daughter discussed this with the manager of the building? If she hasn't, she should, and the conversation should be documented. An explosion could harm more neighbors than just her and her children. The smoker is a danger to everyone.
If the manager can't compel the smoker to stop, then your daughter should move because, in a sense, the tenant downstairs is a ticking time bomb, and her children's safety is paramount.