Thanksgiving Comes in 1st Place . . . For Cooking Fires!

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Thanksgiving is almost here and Montgomery County Fire Chief Corey Smedley is urging residents to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday and to keep safety at the top of the "to-do” list this holiday season.

Fact: More cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the year. You've heard of distracted driving but have you heard of distracted cooking? Countless distractions can happen when cooking - - especially during the holidays.

Cooking Safety Tips:

• Be alert! Stay in the kitchen when using the stovetop and use a timer. If you must leave the kitchen, even for a minute, turn off the stove.
  
• Keep anything that can catch fire at least 3 feet from the stove, toaster oven, or other heat source. This includes pot holders, food packaging, dish towels, paper/plastic bags, etc.
  
• Do not pour water on a grease fire. Pouring water on a grease fire can cause the fire to spread. In the event of a range-top fire, turn off the burner, put on an oven mitt, and smother the flames by carefully sliding a lid or cookie sheet onto the pan. Leave the lid in place until the pot or pan has cooled.
  
• Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup which can ignite.
  
• Always wear short, tight-fitting sleeves when cooking to prevent clothing from coming in contact with a burner and catching fire.
  
• Do not hold children while cooking or carrying hot foods or drinks. Keep children at a safe distance from hot surfaces, liquids, and other kitchen hazards.
  
• Plug microwaves and other kitchen appliances directly into an outlet. Never use an extension cord for a cooking appliance as it can overload the circuit and cause a fire.
  
• Double-check the kitchen before you go to bed or leave the house. Make sure all other appliances are turned off and that any candles or smoking materials are safely extinguished.
  
• Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home, test alarms monthly, and change batteries annually or as recommended by the manufacturer if your alarm features long-life batteries.

Turkey fryers are becoming an increasingly popular choice to cook the Thanksgiving turkey and can be extremely dangerous if proper precautions are not taken. If your plans include using a turkey fryer, fire department officials urge residents to follow all manufacturer directions closely and to review the following safety tips: 

Turkey Fryer Safety Tips:

• Never leave a fryer unattended.
  
• By design, turkey fryers are prone to tipping over. Fryers should always be used on a non-combustible, flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
  
• Fryers should always be used outdoors at least 10 feet from buildings and any flammable materials. Never use a fryer on a wooden deck, under a patio cover, in a garage, porch, or other enclosed space.
  
• Do not overfill the fryer. The oil may spill out of the unit when the turkey is placed into the cooking pot. Oil may hit the burner/flames resulting in a potential fire hazard that could engulf the entire unit.
  
• Oil and water do not mix! Make sure the turkey is completely thawed before it is placed in a fryer. Partially frozen turkeys can cause a spillover effect which may result in a fire. 
  
• Some units do not have thermostat controls and, if not carefully watched, have the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion.
  
• Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching the pot or lid handle. The sides of the cooking pot, lid, and pot handles get dangerously hot and can result in severe burns. If available, use safety goggles to protect your eyes from any oil splatter.
  
• Keep children and pets away from fryers. The oil can remain dangerously hot even hours after use.

Following these simple fire safety tips can reduce injuries dramatically.  For more information about our fire safety programs or to request a free home safety or smoke alarm check, call 311 during business hours or visit our website at www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe 

November: Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month

This November, during Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) is reminding residents to take a few simple steps that can save lives. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless gas that can be deadly — but it’s also completely preventable with the right precautions and properly installed CO alarms.

Since July 1, 2019, Montgomery County law has required most single-family, two-family, and townhouse dwellings with a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage to have carbon monoxide alarms installed outside sleeping areas and on every level of the home. These alarms are designed to alert you before CO reaches dangerous levels, providing an early warning and vital protection for your household.

As the colder months approach and heating systems, fireplaces, and fuel-burning appliances see more use, now is the perfect time to test your CO alarms, replace old units, and review safety tips to keep your family safe from this silent threat.

Why is this important?
Carbon Monoxide is often called the "silent killer" because it is odorless, tasteless and invisible making this toxic gas one of the most overlooked, and potentially deadly, dangers in homes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 400 people die and 50,000 people are admitted to emergency rooms as the result of CO poisoning each year. Carbon Monoxide Alarms are designed to keep you and your family safe.

Does this new law apply to me?
Homes built before 2008 that are powered by electricity and do not have a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage are not required to install Carbon Monoxide Alarms.

Types of Carbon Monoxide Alarms
There are a wide variety of Carbon Monoxide Alarms on the market and include battery-powered, plug-in and hard-wired Carbon Monoxide Alarms and meet the requirements of the new law.

Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
For years Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Alarms were separate units. Recently, alarms have been manufactured that have the technology to detect both smoke and carbon monoxide. These "combination alarms" need to match the power source for the home's smoke alarms.

Power Source Requirements
For properties built before 2008, the power source for your Carbon Monoxide Alarmscan be battery operated, hard-wired with a battery back-up or plug-in with a battery back-up. If you’re installing combination smoke/CO alarms, the power supply must comply with the same Code requirements that apply to your home’s smoke alarms.

Proper Installation Locations
For homes built after January 1, 2008, CO alarms should be installed according to the building codes in place at the time of construction or renovation. Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions for best results.

At what height should Carbon Monoxide Alarms be installed?
Unlike smoke which rises to the ceiling, CO mixes with air. Carbon Monoxide Alarms may be installed at any height. However, if a combination smoke/CO alarm is used it must be installed on or near the ceiling, per manufacturer’s instructions, to ensure that it can detect smoke effectively.

What are the symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning?
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, upset stomach, chest pain and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can help you respond quickly in the event of an emergency.

What do the different beeps mean?
A Carbon Monoxide Alarm has different beep patterns to communicate whether there is an emergency or simply a service or maintenance issue. It is important to know the difference between the different beep patterns. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions.

What if my Carbon Monoxide Alarm sounds?
Immediately have everyone in the home get outdoors to fresh air and call 911 from outside the building. Because Carbon Monoxide Alarms can detect low levels of carbon monoxide, your alarm may activate before anyone feels ill. Signs of CO poisoning don't always happen right away. CO poisoning can happen gradually over a period of days or even weeks, depending on the levels of CO in your home. Re-enter your home only after it has been deemed safe by emergency responders.

When should Carbon Monoxide Alarms be replaced?
Replace Carbon Monoxide Alarms when the manufacturer’s replacement date is reached, when the alarm fails to respond to an operability test, or the end-of-life signal is active.

Where can I get Carbon Monoxide Alarms?
Carbon Monoxide Alarms are available for purchase at many stores and on-line. Only purchase alarms that are approved by UL (Underwriters Laboratories) in order to ensure that your alarms meet their strict testing and safety requirements.

Fall Back...Into Safety! Chief Smedley's Top Eight Tips

It's that time of year again when we "Fall Back" and change clocks (unless your clocks do it automatically)! Here are Fire Chief Smedley's Top Eight Tips when it comes to smoke alarms and fire safety this weekend!

1. It is indisputable that smoke alarms save lives. Smoke alarms are the best and least expensive way to provide an early warning system to alert you and your family to a potential fire emergency. Smoke alarms are designed to detect a fire in its early stages and alert people so they have time to safely escape.

2. Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home.

3. For the best protection, smoke alarms should be interconnected. What does that mean? When one sounds they all sound alerting you to an emergency early on and giving you critical time to escape. New construction requirements have included hard- wired smoke alarms with battery back-ups since the 1980's.

4. Nothing lasts forever - including smoke alarms. Smoke alarms become less reliable with time, primarily due to aging of their electronic components making them more susceptible to nuisance false alarms. Replace entire smoke alarm units every 10 years or sooner if they don't respond properly when tested. Why? The sensor wears out and may not activate in an emergency putting your family at risk. Always read the manufacturer’s recommendations as some models recommend replacement every 5-7 years.

5. Never (ever) paint over a smoke alarm. It will affect the operation of the smoke alarm, potentially disabling it.

6. Test your alarms once a month by pressing the test button.

7. Clean your smoke alarm once a month when you test it. Smoke alarms get clogged with dust build-up which may affect performance.

8. If your alarm “chirps” it may be time to change the back-up battery in your hard-wired alarm. Since 2018, Maryland law has required all battery-only smoke alarms (typically found in homes permitted before 7/1975) to have a sealed,10-year long-life battery in the unit so any "chirping" in these units is likely signaling that you need to replace the smoke alarm with a new one.

Today's home safety and security technology over the years to include smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Many families rely on household devices connected to the internet or smartphones to enhance safety and security. New technology can even notify you when the alarm is activated or if the battery is low. Take time this weekend to ensure your family has a fire safety plan. Practice it with a Home Fire Drill to ensure everyone knows what to do in an emergency. It's that time of year again when we "Fall Back" and change clocks (unless your clocks do it automatically)!

Need help? Have questions? We're here to help! A quick call to 311 will get you connected. Ask for the MCFRS Community Risk Reduction Team and let's make safe happen. 

Charge Smart, Stay Safe: Montgomery County Launches Fire Prevention Month with Focus on Lithium-Ion Batteries

On Tuesday, the Montgomery County Executive and the County Council formally proclaimed October as Fire Prevention Month, placing a critical spotlight on a fast-growing fire risk in our homes and neighborhoods: lithium-ion batteries. This year’s national theme, “Charge Into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home,” was front and center, reminding residents of the importance of safe charging, storage, and disposal of rechargeable batteries found in everything from smartphones and laptops to e-bikes and power tools.

The proclamation ceremony, held at the County Council building, brought together Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) leadership, County Executive Marc Elrich, Chief Administrative Officer Dr. Earl Stoddard, Councilmembers, and key partners from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Permitting Services (DPS) — underscoring the county’s unified approach to prevention and public safety.

County Executive Marc Elrich emphasized the dual importance of safety and sustainability:

“Lithium-ion batteries are powering the devices we rely on every day, but they must be handled responsibly. Fire Prevention Month is not just about awareness — it's about action. By charging smart, recycling properly, and using certified products, we can protect our families and our environment.”

In recognition of their innovative curbside recycling program that includes household electronics and batteries, the Department of Environmental Protec
tion (DEP) participated in this year’s event, highlighting the strong partnership between public safety and environmental sustainability. The program not only supports Montgomery County’s environmental goals but also helps mitigate fire risks associated with improper disposal — a growing concern as battery-related incidents rise nationally and locally.

Also in attendance were representatives from Montgomery County’s Department of Permitting Services and Fire Code Compliance — whose expert work, though often behind the scenes, plays a critical role in ensuring that every building, system, and space in our county meets the highest standards of safety and compliance.

Fire Chief Corey Smedley underscored the department’s proactive mission:

“Fire Prevention Month is more than a tradition — it’s a call to action,” said Fire Chief Corey Smedley. “Together with our community, partner agencies, and dedicated volunteers, Montgomery County is charging into fire safety with innovation, education, and purpose.”

For resources and more information visit: www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe

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Fire Station 2025 Open House Schedule

 Get FIRED UP for Community Safety

This October, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service stations are opening their doors to the public for a series of fun, educational, and family-friendly open house events! From live demonstrations to fire truck tours, these events are a great opportunity to meet your local firefighters, learn about fire safety, and see what it takes to protect our communities. Check out the full lineup below and plan your visit!