Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With

Install and Maintain Smoke Alarms. It’s the LAW!

Rockville - - - Montgomery County fire officials have confirmed that there were no working smoke alarms present in several significant residental fires in the County this fall. Fire Officials  are urging residents to test their smoke alarms to ensure they are working while reminding residents that the Montgomery County code requires home owners to install, test and maintain smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas. Failure to comply with this local law could result in a fine and/or imprisonment.

Most fatal fires occur at night when people are sleeping and experts say that the early warning from a working smoke alarm actually doubles your chances of escaping a home fire. Since the primary job of a smoke alarm is to awaken sleeping people and warn them of urgent danger, it is essential that smoke alarms are working and are proximate to sleeping areas of the home.  

Fire Chief Richard Bowers reminds residents that as we approach the winter heating season, it’s critical that every home have working smoke alarms. “Most fires are preventable, said Chief Bowers. “Smoke alarms are one of the best and easiest safety features you can use to protect yourself, your family and your home. I strongly urge every resident to take a few minutes to test their smoke alarms, practice their home fire escape plan and replace any smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. Many people believe that smoke alarms last forever. They don’t.”

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service offers residents free assistance with smoke alarm installation and maintenance. Any homeowner who cannot install or test smoke alarms in their homes due to age, physical limitations or cannot afford to purchase a smoke alarm or batteries can call 311 for assistance. Visit us atwww.mcfrs.org/mcsafe for additional safety information!

Clothes Dryer Fire Safety Tips

Over the last week, MCFRS has responded to several fires related to clothes dryers. Most of the fires were
preventable!

Please take a moment and review the below safety tips.  Also, please take any corrective action you might learn you need to take right away!  Act now to PREVENT a potential source of fire in your home.  Protect you and your loved ones!

Stay Safe,

Bill  

While most home appliances are used without incident, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 15,500 fires associated with clothes dryers occur annually, causing an average of 10 deaths, 310 injuries and more than $84.4 million in property damage. A lack of maintenance, buildup of lint, placing inappropriate items in the dryer and inadequate venting are frequently cited as contributing factors.

Did You Know?

• The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that 15,500 clothes dryer fires occur annually, causing an average of 10 deaths, 310 injuries and more than $84.4 million in property damage.
• Eighty-percent of American homes have clothes dryers.
• A full load of wet clothes placed in a dryer contains about one half gallon of water. As the clothes dry, lint forms and builds up, reducing airflow in the dryer's vent, potentially causing the dryer to work improperly or overheat.

Clothes Dryer DOs:

• DO clean the lint screen/filter before or after drying EACH load of clothes.If using fabric softener dryer sheets periodically rinse the lint screen in warm water with soap to unclog the build up of softener.
• DO clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct periodically.
• DO have a certified service technician clean and inspect the dryer and venting system regularly.
• DO replace plastic or vinyl exhaust hoses with rigid or flexible metal venting, which provides maximum airflow.
• DO keep the area around the dryer clean and free from clutter.
• Always use the appropriate electrical outlet for dryers and all major appliances.

Clothes Dryer DON'Ts:

• DON'T place clothing or fabric stained with a flammable substance, such as alcohol, cooking oils, gasoline, spot removers or motor oil, in the dryer. Flammable substances give off vapors that could ignite or explode. Instead, dry the materials outdoors.
• DON'T leave a dryer operating if you are not home.
• DON'T forget to read the manufacturer warnings in the user manual and on the inside of the dryer door.
• DON'T dry any item containing foam, rubber or plastic, such as bathroom and non-slip rugs and athletic shoes.
• DON'T dry any item that contains glass fiber materials, such as a blouse or sweater with glass buttons or decorations.
• DON'T overload the dryer with wet clothes.

Put A Freeze On Winter Fires – Preventing Wood Stove and Fireplace Related Fires

Wood stoves and fireplaces are becoming a very common heat source in homes. Careful attention to safety can minimize a fire related emergency. To use them safely: 

Be sure the stove or fireplace is installed properly by a professional. Wood stoves should have adequate clearance (36”) from combustible surfaces, and proper floor support and protection.  

Wood stoves should be of good quality, solid construction and design, and should be UL listed. 

Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary, especially if it has not been used for some time.  

Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire.                         

Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening, to prevent embers or sparks from igniting combustibles outside the fireplace, unwanted material from going in, and help prevent the possibility of bums to occupants.  The stove should be burned hot twice a day for 15-30 minutes to reduce the amount of creosote buildup.               

Don’t use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in fireplaces. It is possible to ignite creosote in the chimney by overbuilding the fire.  

Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide. 

Keep flammable materials away from your mantel. A spark from the fireplace could easily ignite these materials. 

Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out. NEVER close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper will help the fire to heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide into the house.

If synthetic logs are used, follow the directions on the package. Never break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire or use more than one log at a time. They often burn unevenly, releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide.

Fireplace ashes can maintain enough heat to re-ignite for several days after a fire. When cleaning out the ashes, always assume they are still hot and use a metal can to contain them in for disposal. The metal can should be stored away from the home (at least 20 feet and NEVER keep it in an attached garage or on a deck).

  

Fire can spread rapidly through your home, leaving you as little as two minutes to escape safely. Your ability to get out depends on advance warning from smoke alarms and advance planning-a home fire escape plan that everyone in your family is familiar with and has practiced.

Because fires can grow and spread so quickly, having working smoke alarms in your home can mean the difference between life and death. Once the alarm sounds, you may have as few as two minutes to escape. Smoke alarms are the most effective early warning devices available.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service Live Streams Press Events via iPhone

I wanted to share a recent new addition to the Montgomery County (MD) Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) Social Media tool kit that was tested out on December 14, 2011.  The good news is it is free and provides another layer of value added service for our county residents.

Using a hand held iPhone, MCFRS live streamed two press events that were held at one of our fire and rescue stations.  The event was live streamed through our new UStream Site.

Twitter and Facebook were used to announce what was going on and where folks could go to watch it.  Of interest is the fact that one of the local web news outlets, Germantown Patch, embedded the streaming video onto their site as well thus providing a whole other platform, and audience, where people could view it.  It is hoped other news sites will follow suit in the future.

This proved to be a good first run to see how things worked and what could be done in the future.  The quality was not the best but, considering it was through an iPhone, it was not that bad either.  More sophisticated equipment should be used in the future but it is nice to know that the iPhone will work in a pinch or during an emergent situation.  We will also be able to embed any future live stream events on our MCFRS Blog as well.

The possibilities are endless!  

Stay Safe,

Bill

Can we find you in an EMERGENCY?

In an emergency, police, fire and rescue workers depend on house numbers to find YOU as quickly as possible. Finding your home - especially at night - can be challenging if address numbers are unreadable, hidden, unlighted or have missing numbers and may delay emergency responders from getting to you as quickly as possible.

Are your house numbers visible from the street? Are they set on a background of contrasting color? If your house is hidden from the street, are your numbers attached to a visible fence, mailbox or gate? Is your mobile home identified with your house number? If you live on a corner, does your house number face the street named in your address?

If you've answered "no" to any of these questions, please follow the guidelines below to make sure your house number is easy to read:

1. Numbers must be visible from the street. Existing residential home numbering can be 3 1/2 inches high, however new residential homes must be at least 5 inches high and if you replace existing numbers they must be at least 5 inches high.
2. Numbers should be placed on a contrasting background, with a reflective coating on the numbers for easy visibility at night.
3. Repair or replace aging address number placards, especially on mailboxes that are a distance from the front of the residence.
4. Prune any bushes, tree limbs or other growth that has covered your house numbers.
5. Numbers should be placed on or beside the front door. If your door is not easily seen from the street, put the numbers on a post, fence or tree at the driveway entrance so they can be clearly seen from the street. In addition to numbers on the front door of your house, if you have a rural-style mailbox, reflective and contrasting numbers should be placed on both sides of the box so they can be seen by an emergency vehicle approaching from either direction.

Montgomery County Code on Addresses

1. The owner of any structure presently existing or constructed in the future must display Arabic numbers designating the address assigned to the structure by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, or by the municipality in which the structure is located. Numbers must be at least five (5) inches high for single-family detached and attached residences and at least six (6) inches high for commercial, industrial or multifamily structures. However, if the numbers designating the address of a single-family residence on April 5, 1988, were at least three (3) inches high, those numbers comply with the size requirement of this section as long as they remain in place. Address displays must be posted on a contrasting background displayed in a conspicuous place that is unobstructed and clearly readable from the street named in the official address of the structure. Where a structure has more than one (1) address or where more than one (1) structure shares a common entry or driveway, numbers must designate the addresses in sequence.
2. An agency of the county must not require a permit for a sign containing only the address of a residence if the sign is smaller than a maximum size set by the county executive by regulation.

Happy Trails Captain’s Lippincott and Trevey

Today, December 22, 2011, Captain Neal Trevey and Captain Bill Lippincott will be working their last shift serving the residents of Montgomery County.  They are closing out a 33 and 34 year career respectively! 

The personnel of MCFRS wish Captain’s Lippincott and Trevey great health and happiness in their retirement.  Thank you both for your dedicated service!  We will all miss them both!  

Holiday Candle Safety

The Holidays are here and candles are in demand. See, hear and/or read a quick presentation on Candle Safety below.

 

Fire Safe Home For The Holidays!

The Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service wants to help make your holidays joyful and safe. By taking the simple safety precautions listed below, you can help ensure that you and your loved ones will have a Fire Safe Home For The Holidays!

Lights and Candles

• Decorate your tree using only UL (Underwriters' Lab Inc.) approved lights and cords. Inspect lights for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets. Do not overload extension cords. Use no more than three strings of lights on one extension cord, and never run an electrical cord under a carpet. Be sure to secure electrical cords so that children cannot pull them and topple the tree.
• Turn off the tree lights when you go to bed, depart from home or leave the tree in an unattended room.
• Keep burning candles out of the reach of children and pets; keep matches and lighters out of sight and locked away. Make sure they are in stable holders. Do not leave candles unattended - especially around children or pets.
• Do not place candles near draperies or anything that might easily catch fire. Make sure you put out candles when you go to bed or leave the home.
• Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree! Do not go near a holiday tree with an open flame - candles, lighters or matches.

Cooking

• Never leave cooking food unattended - it is the number one cause of house fires.
• Make sure you wear close-fitting clothing when cooking.
• Put pans on back burners and turn all pot handles toward the back of the stove.
• Never leave a child unattended in the kitchen. Close supervision is essential, whether children are helping an adult cook or simply watching.

Trees

• When selecting a tree for the Holiday, needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard. A safer option is to buy a fire-resistant artificial tree.
• Use a wide-based stand to make sure the tree is secure and will not fall over. Keep your tree in a container full of water, and check it daily.
• Keep the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators and heating vents. Decorate your tree with children in mind. Do not put ornaments that are breakable, have small detachable parts, metal hooks or look like food or candy on the lower branches where small children can reach them. Make sure tree lights are hung out of reach of young children. Also, cut back the lower branches to avoid eye injuries to small children.
• Never burn Christmas tree branches, treated wood or wrapping paper in your fireplace. Dispose of your tree promptly after the holidays.

Other Related Tips

• Have your furnace and chimney professionally inspected and cleaned.
• Space heaters need space. Keep materials that burn easily at least three feet away from each heater.
• Working smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas. Test alarms once a month and replace the batteries at least twice a year.
• Plan and practice at least two fire escape routes from each room of your home and identify an outside meeting place.

News Advisory: Body Recovered in the Triadelphia Reservoir

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  December 15, 2011
                                   

Body Recovered in the Triadelphia Reservoir

Rockville - - - After an extensive, multi-agency search for a missing WSSC employee that began December 2nd, a body was recovered this afternoon in the Triadelphia Reservoir. It is not confirmed if the body found is that of the missing WSSC employee.

Personnel from multiple agencies have worked aggressively on the incident and included the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, the Montgomery County Police Department, WSSC police and personnel, the United States Navy, the Department of Natural Resources, Search and Rescue Dogs of Maryland (SARDOM) and assistance from the Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Howard County Fire Departments. 

The investigation is on-going and the cause of death has not been released. The investigation will be led by the Montgomery County Police with assistance from the WSSC police.

 

                                                                     # # #                    

News Advisory: Pepco Donates Smoke Alarms to Fire Department - Updated

Pepco Donates Smoke Alarms to Fire Department
Tragic Incident Highlights the Importance of Working Smoke Alarms

 Wednesday, December 14, 2011

12:00 noon
 

 Germantown-Kingsview Fire Station #22
    18910 Germantown Road (117 and 118)
  Germantown, Maryland

Montgomery County Fire Chief Richard Bowers will accept a generous donation of smoke alarms from Pepco officials on Wednesday, December 14^th. The smoke alarms will be used as aggressive community outreach by firefighters continues in response to the County’s third senior citizen fire fatality of the year.

Over the weekend, the victim from a December 7^th fire died as a result of complications from burn injuries sustained in a house fire in Takoma Park, Maryland. This most recent fatality marks the third fire fatality this year in Montgomery County involving a senior citizen in which there were NO working smoke alarms in the house.  

“Pepco’s Emergency Services Partnership Program has donated smoke alarms to the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service for several years as part of their long-standing commitment to public safety,” said Chief Richard Bowers. “Based on today’s challenging budgets, this donation comes at a critical time and will fill a very important need in the community.”

“All of us at Pepco are very proud of the excellent working relationship we have with our first responders throughout the service territory. These smoke alarms are just another way for Pepco to support the life saving work that the dedicated men and women of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service perform every day,” said Jerry Pasternak, VP Pepco Region - Maryland.

With cold weather arriving, working smoke alarms provide vital, early warning of fire or smoke conditions and are truly life-saving. “We are proud to partner with PEPCO and their generous donation will continue to have significant impact in keeping residents safe and saving lives,” said Chief Bowers.    

News Advisory: Pepco Donates Smoke Alarms to Fire Department

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  December 13, 2011 

                                     

Tragic Incident Highlights the Importance of Working Smoke Alarms

 Wednesday, December 14, 2011

12:00 noon
 

 Germantown-Kingsview Fire Station 22
    18910 Germantown Road (117 and 118)
  Germantown, Maryland

Montgomery County Fire Chief Richard Bowers will accept a generous donation of smoke alarms from Pepco officials on Wednesday, December 14^th. The smoke alarms will be used as aggressive community outreach by firefighters continues in response to the County’s third fire senior citizen fatality of the year.

Over the weekend, the victim from a December 7^th fire died as a result of complications from burn injuries sustained in a house fire in Takoma Park, Maryland. This most recent fatality marks the third fire fatality this year in Montgomery County involving a senior citizen in which there were NO working smoke alarms in the house.  

“Pepco’s Emergency Services Partnership Program has donated smoke alarms to the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service for several years as part of their long-standing commitment to public safety,” said Chief Richard Bowers. “Based on today’s challenging budgets, this donation comes at a critical time and will fill a very important need in the community.”

“All of us at Pepco are very proud of the excellent working relationship we have with our first responders throughout the service territory. These smoke alarms are just another way for Pepco to support the life saving work that the dedicated men and women of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service perform every day,” said Jerry Pasternak, VP of Governmental Affairs.

With cold weather arriving, working smoke alarms provide vital, early warning of fire or smoke conditions and are truly life-saving. “We are proud to partner with PEPCO and their generous donation will continue to have significant impact in keeping residents safe and saving lives,” said Chief Bowers.    

                                                                     # # #                    

Below Grade Rescue

At 8:52 AM units from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue responded to a call at the intersection of Mid County Highway & Washington Grove Lane for a report of a man who had fallen into a 16 foot trench. 

It took approximately 24 fire fighters a little under an hour to remove the individual from the trench.  He was transported to an area hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

A couple of photos from the scene below.

Courtesy of Capt. Oscar Garcia

Courtesy of Fire Fighter Sean Carroll

News Advisory: Check Presentation from Pink Uniform T-Shirt Campaign

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  December 12, 2011

Proud to Put on the Pink and Raise Funds for Breast Cancer Research

Check Presentation from Pink Uniform T-Shirt Campaign

When:    Wednesday, December 14^th at 11:00 a.m.    

Where:   Germantown-Kingsview Fire Station 22
                18910 Germantown Road (Route 118 and 117)

    Germantown, MD 20874

      

Rockville - - - The Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 1664's Breast Cancer Awareness Committee is pleased to announce a check presentation ceremony to benefit the Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen and the Red Devils, Inc.

October’s pink uniform t-shirt campaign promoting breast cancer awareness raised over $10,000. A portion of the net proceeds from this campaign is being donated to both the Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen and the Red Devils, Inc. Both of these organizations are Maryland based non-profits which work in the breast cancer community providing grants, education and access to resources (e.g. - transportation to and from treatment). Please join us on Wednesday, December 14^th at 11:00 am at Montgomery County Fire Station 22 as the committee presents both organizations with donations.

News Advisory: Takoma Park Fire - Fatality

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 10, 2011

Rockville, Md. - - - Walter Rave, age 66, died of complications from burn injuries
sustained in a house fire at 29 Holt Place, Takoma Park, Maryland. The fire occurred on
December 7, 2011 at 2:00 a.m.

The fire caused approximately $300K damage to the structure and $100K to the
contents.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue units arrived on the scene and found a large 2
story wood frame house with heavy fire on the front exterior with moderate extension to
the interior. Mr. Rave was in the front yard.

Firefighters extinguished the fire with some difficulty due to the very large amounts of
accumulated personal belongings inside the structure. Additionally, all exits other than the front door were either blocked by security bars, and an extensive amount of bamboo growth on the exterior of the home.

The victim was awakened by the fire. It is unclear how. With the front door being his only means of egress he was forced to pass through the large volume of fire on the front porch. In doing so he suffered extensive burn injuries to his body.

The fire originated in the engine compartment of a Toyota pick-up truck parked in the
driveway. Radiant heat from this fire ignited either the nearby porch railing or ordinary
combustibles on the porch. The fire is ruled accidental.

This is the fifth fire related death in Montgomery County in 2011.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue’s Fire and Explosive Investigations Section along
with Takoma Park City Police are continuing the investigation.

Take action today! Test your smoke alarms!

Please take a moment to watch the short safety message below. If your smoke alarm is 10 years old or older, you need to replace it with a new alarm as soon as possible!

Montgomery County has experienced several serious fires over the last few months where there were no working smoke alarms. Serious injury or, worse, death have occurred in some of these fires.

Take action today! Test your smoke alarms! As always, be safe!

Turn Around - Don’t Drown! Many Roads in Montgomery County Susceptible to Flooding so Consider Alternate Routes Beforehand!

Turn Around - Don’t Drown!  Many Roads in Montgomery County Susceptible to Flooding so Consider Alternate Routes Beforehand!

County residents are urged to be alert to changing weather conditions and should be prepared for possible flash flooding now through this evening as this storm system is expected to continue with heavy rains for a while. 

When it rains heavily, there may be flash floods, flood warnings and flood watches issued. Flash floods more often occur in mountain streams, hilly areas or low-lying areas. But they do happen in urban and suburban areas like Montgomery County, as well. Flash floods can occur even though it's not raining where you are. It may be raining hard farther upstream and raining so hard that the water can not be absorbed into the ground. 

Safety Tips: 

If a flash flood warning is issued, act immediately. Don't wait for high water to dictate your course of action. 

Know your location when you are driving. If you needed rescue, would you be able to direct emergency crews to your location? Distracted driving can lead to a situation where you are stranded and unable to direct emergency crews to you. Be alert! 

Never drive through a flooded road or bridge. Turn Around - Don’t Drown and try an alternate route! In many cases, it takes far less than a foot of water to incapacitate a vehicle. It may stall, leaving you stranded, and depending on the level of water, you may not be able to open a vehicle door. Do not underestimate the power of moving water. 

Watch for flooding at bridges and dips in the road. Never drive where water is over bridges or roads. Turn around - Don’t Drown! The bridges or the road could suddenly be washed out. If you're driving at night be especially careful. Often visibility is limited due to wind and rain. 

Often what you can't see below the surface of the water is far more dangerous than the high levels of that water. Remember that rocks, tree limbs and other debris can be caught in moving water and can be dangerous if you are forced to walk, wade or swim through flood waters. 

If you have to walk or wade through flood water, use a stick to poke the ground in front of you with each step. It can help you determine water levels, the bottom surface and the safest possible way to get to higher ground. 

Remember that flash floods can come without warning, and sometimes without weather. Be alert and heed all warnings and recommendations from officials. From FEMA's website, some further information about driving through flooded roadways:

Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling. 

A foot of water will float many vehicles. 

Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV's) and pick-ups 

TURN AROUND - DON’T DROWN and try an alternate route!

ROADS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY SUBJECT TO PERIODIC FLOODING: 

DOWN-COUNTY AREAS

MD 29 (Columbia Pike) at Paint Branch - N. of White Oak 

MD 185 (Conn. Ave) at Rock Creek - S. of Kensington 

MD 190 (River Road) at Cabin John Creek - Potomac 

MD 193 (Univ. Blvd) at Sligo Creek - Wheaton 

MD 586 (Viers Mill Rd) at Rock Creek - S. of Twinbrook Pkwy. 

Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park - Kensington-Chevy Chase 

Sligo Creek Pkwy - Silver Spring-Takoma Park 

UP-COUNTY AREAS

MD 97 (Georgia Ave) at Reddy Branch - N. of Brookeville 

MD 124 (Woodfield Rd) at Goshen Branch and at Gr. Seneca Creek - N. of Brink Rd. 

MD 117 (Clopper Rd) at Gr. Seneca Creek - W. of Gaithersburg 

MD 117 (Clopper Rd) at Little Seneca Creek - E. of Boyds 

MD 355 (Frederick Rd) at Little Seneca Creek - W. of Brink 

MD 121 (Clarksburg Rd) near Little Seneca Lake - N. of Boyds 

MD 118 (Germantown Rd) at Great Seneca Creek - S. of Germantown 

River Rd and Berryville Rd at Seneca Creek - Seneca 

Blunt Road at Great Seneca Creek - S. of Brink Rd. 

Davis Mill Rd at Great Seneca Creek - N. of Gaithersburg 

Brighton Dam Rd at Hawlings River - NE of Brookeville 

Goldmine Rd at Hawlings River - E of Olney 

Zion Rd at Hawlings River - E. of Laytonsville 

Hoyles Mill Rd at ford of Little Seneca Creek - Germantown, west of soccer complex 

Loghouse Rd at Magruder Branch - S. of Damascus 

Elton Farm Rd at Haights Branch - N. of Sunshine 

Howard Chapel Rd at Haights Branch - N. of Sunshine 

White’s Ferry Road and River Road - White’s Ferry 

More at: Street Flooding Hazards

Fire Safe Home For The Holidays!

The Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service wants to help make your holidays joyful and safe. By taking the simple safety precautions listed below, you can help ensure that you and your loved ones will have a Fire Safe Home For The Holidays!

Lights and Candles 

Decorate your tree using only UL (Underwriters' Lab Inc.) approved lights and cords. Inspect lights for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets. Do not overload extension cords. Use no more than three strings of lights on one extension cord, and never run an electrical cord under a carpet. Be sure to secure electrical cords so that children cannot pull them and topple the tree.

• Turn off the tree lights when you go to bed, depart from home or leave the tree in an unattended room.
• Keep burning candles out of the reach of children and pets; keep matches and lighters out of sight and locked away. Make sure they are in stable holders. Do not leave candles unattended - especially around children or pets.
• Do not place candles near draperies or anything that might easily catch fire. Make sure you put out candles when you go to bed or leave the home.
• Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree! Do not go near a holiday tree with an open flame - candles, lighters or matches.

Cooking

• Never leave cooking food unattended - it is the number one cause of house fires.
• Make sure you wear close-fitting clothing when cooking.
• Put pans on back burners and turn all pot handles toward the back of the stove.
• Never leave a child unattended in the kitchen. Close supervision is essential, whether children are helping an adult cook or simply watching.

Trees

When selecting a tree for the Holiday, needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard. A safer option is to buy a fire-resistant artificial tree.

• Use a wide-based stand to make sure the tree is secure and will not fall over. Keep your tree in a container full of water, and check it daily.
• Keep the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators and heating vents. Decorate your tree with children in mind. Do not put ornaments that are breakable, have small detachable parts, metal hooks or look like food or candy on the lower branches where small children can reach them. Make sure tree lights are hung out of reach of young children. Also, cut back the lower branches to avoid eye injuries to small children.
• Never burn Christmas tree branches, treated wood or wrapping paper in your fireplace. Dispose of your tree promptly after the holidays.

Other Related Tips

• Have your furnace and chimney professionally inspected and cleaned.
• Space heaters need space. Keep materials that burn easily at least three feet away from each heater.
• Working smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas. Test alarms once a month and replace the batteries at least twice a year.
• Plan and practice at least two fire escape routes from each room of your home and identify an outside meeting place.

Chief Bowers and MCFRS Participate in Stuff the Truck For the Capital Area Food Bank

The below video from Fox5 is from this past Friday.  Chief Bowers and crew from Fire Station #23 help to Stuff the Truck with food that goes to the Capital Area Food Bank.

In addition, the Chief also provides some timely fire safety tips!

Stuff-A-Truck Live Shots on Friday, December 2: MyFoxDC.com

News Advisory - Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With Install and Maintain Smoke Alarms. It’s the LAW!

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  November 29, 2011

Rockville - - - Montgomery County fire officials have confirmed that there were no working smoke alarms present in several significant residental fires in the County this fall. Fire officials  are urging residents to test their smoke alarms to ensure they are working while reminding residents that Montgomery County Code requires homeowners to install, test and maintain smoke alarms on every level of their home and outside all sleeping areas. Failure to comply with this local law could result in a fine and/or imprisonment.

Most fatal fires occur at night when people are sleeping and experts say that the early warning from a working smoke alarm actually doubles your chances of escaping a home fire. Since the primary job of a smoke alarm is to awaken sleeping people and warn them of urgent danger, it is essential that smoke alarms are working and are proximate to sleeping areas of the home.

Fire Chief Richard Bowers reminds residents that as we approach the winter heating season, it’s critical that every home have working smoke alarms. “Most fires are preventable, said Chief Bowers. “Smoke alarms are one of the best and easiest safety features you can use to protect yourself, your family and your home. I strongly urge every resident to take a few minutes to test their smoke alarms, practice their home fire escape plan and replace any smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. Many people believe that smoke alarms last forever. They don’t.”

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service offers residents free assistance with smoke alarm installation and maintenance. Any homeowner who cannot install or test smoke alarms in their homes due to age, physical limitations or cannot afford to purchase a smoke alarm or batteries can call 311 for assistance. Visit us at www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe for additional safety information!