Best. Gift. Ever.

He’s protected you and kept you safe.

Now it’s your turn.

Nothing says “I love you, dad” on Father’s Day like a new smoke alarm.

It’s cheaper than most ties and is a gift that — if properly maintained — keeps on giving.

And the best part? MCFRS will even help install it! Visit www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe or call 311 for information. And remember – all smoke alarms only last 10 years and then need to be replaced with new ones.

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.

Summer of Safety - Smoke Alarms and Child Passenger Safety Seats

As part of Montgomery County's Summer of Safety, this week we will be providing information as it relates to smoke alarms and child passenger safety seats.

Speaking of smoke alarms; have you tested your lately?  If not, why not?  Ideally, smoke alarms should be tested at least once a week to ensure they are working.

In addition, if your smoke alarm is 10 years or older it needs to be replaced - regardless of whether it works, or not, when you push the test button.

For more information on smoke alarms, please find a very comprehensive list of information on the County's Summer of Safety web site.

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

That Time Of Year Again! Change Your Clock And Check Your Smoke Alarm Battery!

It is that time of year again! While testing your smoke alarms should be a monthly occurrence, at the minimum, we here at MCFRS want to make extra sure that you take time today to do so. So as you think about the hour of sleep you will lose tonight please also think that this would be a very good time to make sure critical life safety devices in your home are working properly.

Just before you move that clock hand forward an hour also make sure you push the test button on the smoke and carbon monoxide alarm(s). If not working, please replace the battery -- unless it is a sealed 10 year lithium battery at which point you will have to get a new alarm.

Also remember that if your smoke alarm is 10 years of age, or older, it needs to be replaced.

What Time Is It-2015

It Only Takes ONE To Save Your Life

What Time Is It-2015

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

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.

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.

Smoke Alarm Facts

How effective are smoke alarms?
Residential fire deaths have decreased steadily as the number of homes with smoke alarms increased. Reports from the National Fire Protection Association indicate that working smoke alarms double the chance of surviving a fire in homes equipped with the recommended number of smoke alarms.
 

When do I need to replace my smoke alarm?
Smoke alarms do not last forever and units that are 10 years old are near the end of their service life and should be replaced.  Just like any electrical appliance, the circuitry and components of smoke alarms wear out over time. When a smoke alarm reaches 10 years of use, the potential of failing to detect a fire increases substantially and replacing units after 10 years reduces the likelihood of failure.

My smoke alarm units are wired into my electrical system. Do I need to replace them as often as battery-operated alarms?
Yes. Both hard-wired and battery-operated alarms are equally affected by age.
Note: the legislation signed into law on July 1, 2013 applies to battery-only powered alarms.   

How many smoke alarms should I have?
Under the provisions of the law for all new residential units constructed after July 1, 2013, at least one smoke alarm must be installed in each sleeping room, in the hallway or common area outside of sleeping rooms, and in the hallway or common area on each level within a residential dwelling unit, including basements and excluding specified unoccupied spaces such as attics.  Various requirements for smoke alarm type and placement exist for different time periods in Montgomery County. For specific requirements, please see Residential Smoke Alarm Requirements.

Is there anything new I need to know if I am selling my house?
The residential property disclosure form provided to the purchaser of specified single-family residential real property must include whether the smoke alarms (1) are over 10 years old and (2) if battery-operated, are sealed, tamper-resistant units incorporating a silence/hush button and use long-life batteries as required in all Maryland homes by 2018.

Why is the “hush” feature important?
Smoke alarms are available with a “hush” button that can be used to temporarily silence the alarm. This is a convenient way to deal with nuisance alarms, such as those caused by burning toast or opening smoky ovens, without disabling the alarm. The hush button will silence the alarm for several minutes and then automatically reset itself. Smoke alarms with this feature discourage the dangerous practice of removing the battery or disconnecting the power source as a method of dealing with frequent nuisance alarms. If smoke continues to build from an actual fire while the alarm is in hush mode, the smoke will override the silence feature and the smoke alarm will reactivate.

How can I test my alarm?
Every smoke alarm comes with a test button. MCFRS recommends that people test their alarms at least once a month.

I want to know more!

Please visit our website at www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe or montgomerycountymd.gov/mcfrs-info/

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. 

It's Fire Prevention Week!

It's Fire Prevention Week!  Please help us to spread the safety message and share this page with friends and family!

Click on the photo below for more information.

Home Smoke Alarm Basics

As part of our Summer of Safety outreach this summer, the theme this week is "Get Alarmed Montgomery!" This week highlights the importance of having and maintaining working smoke alarms in your home.

Below is a video from our partners in safety at the NFPA that provides some great basics.

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.

Stay Safe!

BD

Smoke Alarms – Don’t Stay Home Without Them!

MCFRS has had several significant fires, 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.

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.” 

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.

Fire Chief Reminds Residents: When You Change Your Clocks This Weekend, Don’t Forget to Check Your Smoke Alarm Batteries!

Daylight savings time begins March 10th and the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) is urging all residents to take time to check the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors when they change their clocks this weekend to ensure they are working.

“Home fires injure and kill thousands every year,” said Fire Chief Richard Bowers. “Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. I encourage everyone to test their smoke alarms, replace any alarms that are 10 years or older and conduct a home fire drill this weekend.”

The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. when most families are sleeping. A working smoke alarm dramatically increases the chance for survival and provides advance warning of a fire resulting in more time to react and put a home escape plan into action.  Help keep your family safe by following these fire safety tips:

1. Install smoke alarms on all levels of your home, including the basement.

2. Test smoke alarms each month to ensure they are working. Replace batteries annually, as needed.

3. Plan and practice home fire drills regularly. Decide in advance who will help family members that may need assistance escaping (young children, older adults or people with disabilities).

4. Retire old smoke alarms and replace with new ones every 10 years, or as recommended by the manufacturer.

5. Make sure children recognize the sound of your smoke alarm and how to respond to its signal.

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service will provide and install smoke alarm batteries at no cost to residents and will provide and install smoke alarms for residents that cannot afford them. Please call 311 for information and be sure to bookmark our website for year-round safety information at www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe and sign up to follow us on twitter @mcfrs.