Answer To Last Week's Twitter Poll

Last week we asked the below question on Twitter and this blog.

The correct answer is: Once a Month. 

Congratulations to the 60% of you that got that answer right!

For those that selected once a week - we love you over-achievers! Some smoke alarm manufacturers do recommend pushing the test button on the alarm at least once a week. Nothing wrong with that answer at all as it is better to be safe than sorry!

Look for a new poll to test your fire safety knowledge soon!

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

A Little Poll This Morning

A question we are asking on Twitter this morning? Do you know the answer?

Ideally, how often should you test your smoke alarm to make sure it is working?

— MontgomeryCo(MD)Fire (@mcfrs) February 23, 2016

Happy New Year! Time to "Retire" Your Old Smoke Alarms?

Courtesy of NFPA

Happy New Year!  Looking for a good resolution for 2016?

I have a good one for you  Retire your old smoke alarms if they are 10 years of age or older.

Once your alarms reach the ripe old age of 10, they are eligible for "retirement" and need to be replaced by a new generation of smoke alarms.

Even if your 10 year old, or older, smoke alarm still sounds when you push the test button, it should be replaced.

To learn how to properly dispose of a smoke alarm, please go here: How to recycle/dispose of smoke alarms

For those with battery powered alarms, please go here to learn about Maryland's Updated Smoke Alarm Law.

Time to "Retire" Your Old Smoke Alarms?

Courtesy of NFPA

I wanted to make sure all of you knew that smoke alarms need to have a retirement plan - as most of us do. Once your alarms reach the ripe old age of 10, they are eligible for "retirement" and need to be replaced by a new generation of smoke alarms.

Even if your 10 year old, or older, smoke alarm still sounds when you push the test button, it should be replaced.

To learn more about smoke alarms, please go here: Smoke Alarms

To learn how to properly dispose of a smoke alarm, please go here: How to recycle/dispose of smoke alarms

For those with battery powered alarms, please go here to learn about Maryland's Updated Smoke Alarm Law.

Hear the Beep Where You Sleep!

When 10 Years Is Too Old

Many homes in Montgomery County have smoke alarms that are too old.  All smoke alarms are manufactured to last 10 years.  Then they need to be replaced. Working smoke alarms can provide the critical early warning needed to save lives.

When 10 is Too Old

When 10 Years Is Too Old

Many homes in Montgomery County have smoke alarms that are too old.  All smoke alarms are manufactured to last 10 years.  Then they need to be replaced. Working smoke alarms can provide the critical early warning needed to save lives.

When 10 is Too Old

Happy New Year! Time to "Retire" Your Old Smoke Alarms?

Courtesy of NFPA

Happy New Year!  Looking for a good resolution for 2015?

I have a good one for you  Retire your old smoke alarms if they are 10 years of age or older.

Once your alarms reach the ripe old age of 10, they are eligible for "retirement" and need to be replaced by a new generation of smoke alarms.

Even if your 10 year old, or older, smoke alarm still sounds when you push the test button, it should be replaced.

To learn more about smoke alarms, please go here: Smoke Alarms

To learn how to properly dispose of a smoke alarm, please go here: How to recycle/dispose of smoke alarms

For those with battery powered alarms, please go here to learn about Maryland's Updated Smoke Alarm Law.

Stay Safe!

BD

Smoke Alarms – Don’t Stay Home Without Them!

MCFRS has had several significant fires this year, including some in which people died, where there were no working smoke alarms present. 

After many of these fires, MCFRS personnel have gone door to door in the impacted neighborhood offering to check smoke alarms and provide safety information.  During the door to door effort our Firefighters are finding an “alarming” number of non-working smoke alarms.  To ensure the safety of those residents, we immediately install a new smoke alarm and/or battery.   

Please make sure your home has working smoke alarms!  Test yours today!  Your life may depend on it!

Below please find Ten Tips on smoke alarms, from our friends at the US Fire Administration, you will find useful.

Follow these 10 easy tips on smoke alarms:

1. One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family is to have a working smoke alarm that can sound fast for both a fire that has flames, and a smoky fire that has fumes without flames. It is called a "Dual Sensor Smoke Alarm."
2. Place a smoke alarm on the ceiling of every level of your home and both inside and outside bedrooms. Children and older people can sleep though the loud sound of a smoke alarm. Make sure your escape plan includes someone that can help children and others wake up immediately to escape from the home.
3. If you keep your bedroom doors closed, place a smoke alarm on the ceiling of each bedroom.
4. Check smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button.
5. Never take smoke alarm batteries out to put into other items like games or remote controls.
6. Teach children what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do when they hear the alarm sound.
7. If there is a fire, leave the home right away by crawling low under the smoke and never go back inside.
8. If smoke from cooking makes the alarm sound, press the "hush" button, if your alarm has one. You can also turn on the kitchen fan, open a window or wave a towel near the alarm until it stops making the sound. Never take the battery out of the alarm.
9. Most alarms need a new battery at least once a year. Some smoke alarms have batteries that last for up to 10 years. If your smoke alarm is over 10 years old, replace it with a new alarm and a new battery.
10. If you rent, talk to your landlord about placing a working smoke alarm in your home. You still need to buy a new battery at least once a year for the alarm.

Home Smoke Alarm Basics

As part of Fire Prevention Week, please take a moment to watch this two minute video on Home Smoke Alarm Basics from our partners in safety at the National Fire Protection Association. 

ESL, Interlogix Hard-Wired Smoke Alarms Recalled Due to Failure to Alert Consumers of a Fire

Below from our partners in safety at the CPSC.  This may impact some of you out there so want to make you aware.  Make sure you test your smoke alarms regardless!

ESL, Interlogix Hard-Wired Smoke Alarms Recalled Due to Failure to Alert Consumers of a Fire | CPSC.gov

Smoke Alarm Makes a Difference for Bethesda Family

Fire Department Credits Operating Smoke Alarm and Quick Thinking Residents

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue was dispatched shortly after 1:30 p.m. Thursday to the 5800 block of Kingswood Road in Bethesda for the report of a house fire. First arriving units reported heavy smoke from the second floor of the single family home with fire extended into the attic and requested additional units. The home’s occupants had evacuated after being alerted to the fire by the home’s smoke alarms.  

The fire was extinguished a short time later and one firefighter received minor injuries and was transported to

a local hospital for evaluation. Montgomery County Fire Investigators were requested to the scene to conduct an origin and cause investigation. Investigators confirm that the fire originated on the second floor of the residence and have listed the fire as accidental.

Firefighters were ultimately able to locate, chase and retrieve the family’s cat who was hiding in the basement. Damage estimates to the home are $500,000 to the structure and $250,000 to contents. Four adults, one child and a cat were displaced by the fire.

“This incident serves as a reminder of just how important smoke alarms are. Had the smoke alarms not been working, we would be reporting on a much more serious fire,” said Fire Chief Lohr. “We know unequivocally that the early warning provided by smoke alarms translates into saved lives and I urge all residents to ensure that their smoke alarms are working.” 

Learn About the New Maryland Smoke Alarm Law

• Five Things You Need to Know (English)
• Five Things You Need to Know (Spanish)
• Residential Smoke Alarm Requirements Matrix
• New Smoke Alarm Law News Release

Maryland Updates Smoke Alarm Law

Smoke Alarm Law ENGLISH 8.5x11 by Montgomery County (MD) Fire and Rescue

Smoke Alarm Law Catches Up With Technology

New Smoke Alarm Law f by Montgomery County (MD) Fire and Rescue

Smoke Alarms Save Lives: New Maryland State Law Went Into Effect on July 1st

By: Battalion Chief Mark Davis

During the 2013 session of the Maryland General Assembly, the thirty-eight year old Maryland Smoke Alarm Law was completely rewritten and updated to take advantage of new technology. With the full support of the Maryland Fire Service, Senate Bill 969 and House Bill 1413 passed unanimously in both chambers and have been signed into law by Governor O'Malley. The Maryland Smoke Alarm Law will now be compatible with applicable national codes including, "NFPA 72 – National Fire Alarms and Signaling Code" and the "International Residential Code" for new construction. More importantly, the law will require over the course of the next few years an upgrade in smoke alarm coverage in existing homes. Under provisions of the new law, a single 9-volt battery operated smoke alarm in the second floor hallway will no longer be adequate in some existing older homes. The Maryland Smoke Alarm Law will require a minimum of one smoke alarm on every level of the home. Where battery operated smoke alarms are acceptable, sealed battery operated smoke alarms with long life batteries and hush button features will now be required.

Over the years, many fire and rescue departments in Maryland have been actively involved in very successful smoke alarm give away/installation programs to protect the residents of their communities. These programs have typically involved the use of smoke alarms with replaceable 9-volt batteries. In general, these devices have worked fine until the occupant activates the alarm due to burnt toast or frying bacon and quickly removes the battery to stop the alerting noise; or the annoying chirp of the low battery alarm at 3:00 a.m. results in removal of the smoke alarm battery. Dead or missing smoke alarm batteries have been an aspect in many loss of life fires and continue to be a factor in Maryland and across the United States.

The new smoke alarms will initially cost a few dollars more; however eliminating the need to purchase and replace the battery once or twice every year will actually save money over the ten year life of the new sealed battery smoke alarm.  In Montgomery County, fire/rescue personnel are actively involved in smoke alarm inspections and installations and will most likely be moving to the new style smoke alarm in the very near future.

Any one who resides in Montgomery County and who needs a smoke alarm or would like their smoke alarms checked should contact their local fire station.  For additional information, please review the Maryland Smoke Alarm Technology Task Force Report dated August 2012 online or contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal at 410-653-8980.