Change Your Clocks - CHECK Your Smoke Alarms This Weekend

It's that time of year again when we "Fall Back" and change clocks (unless your clocks do it automatically)! Here are our Top Eight Tips to remember 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 (permitted in homes built b/f 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 has evolved beyond 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. 

Time to "Retire" Your Smoke Alarms?

Your smoke alarms need to have a retirement plan! Smoke alarms have a life expectancy of 10 years and then need to be replaced with new ones. Like other electronic equipment, smoke alarm components wear out over time and the sensors can begin to lose sensitivity. The test button only confirms that the battery, electronics and the alert system are working, not that the sensor that detects smoke is working. 

Remember:

- Even if your 10-year-old (or older) smoke alarm sounds when you push the test button, it still needs to be replaced.

- Even if a smoke alarm hasn’t reached the 10-year mark, replace it if it chirps after you’ve replaced the battery or if the alarm doesn’t sound when you perform the recommended monthly testing of your fire alarm system.

- Montgomery County Fire Officials recommend replacing all interconnected smoke alarms at the same time (even if some are working).

Remember: smoke alarms are an essential part of your home's fire prevention strategy! Be sure to read about Maryland's New Smoke Alarm law that affects all battery-only smoke alarms.  

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.

How Old Are Your Smoke Alarms?

Courtesy of NFPA

Another day, another friendly reminder in our 101 Days of Summer Safety!

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.

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.

A Safer Home Is Just A Click Away

As part of MCFRS’ on-going commitment to innovation and building a safer County, the Community Outreach Section of the Division of Volunteers Services & Community Outreach has launched a new, on-line tool designed to efficiently manage and streamline requests for home safety and smoke alarm checks for County residents.

Most fires in the home are preventable and the effects can be devastating.

It’s important that you know how to reduce the chances of a fire starting in your home and how to keep yourself, your family and your home safe from fire. This new tool will provide residents with a fast and convenient way to request a home safety visit.

What is a home fire safety visit?
Representatives from the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service will visit your home and offer advice on how to make your home safe and where appropriate smoke alarms should be located and installed for free.

Who is eligible?
Residents of Montgomery County may request a free home safety visit. The installation of free alarms is targeted to high risk individuals that include older people and senior citizens, individuals with mobility, vision or hearing impairments and residents who may have a disability or be economically challenged.

The on line tool can be easily accessed via desktop, web or mobile device. Go here to learn more: Schedule a Home Safety Evaluation 

Community Risk Reduction Weekend! Know The New Smoke Alarm Law

This weekend, May 14-15, has been designated by the State Fire Marshal, the Maryland Chief’s Association and the Maryland State Fireman’s Association as a Statewide “Community Risk Reduction” weekend for fire departments across the State.

Fire departments across Maryland will be engaged in community outreach, education and canvassing neighborhoods to provide smoke alarm and fire safety information and education. The focus of the campaign is to increase awareness regarding Maryland’s new Smoke Alarm Law (effective January, 2018) and to remind all residents that smoke alarms older than 10 years need to be replaced with new ones.

All MCFRS personnel and stations, to support the State’s campaign, will be engaged in community outreach and education at every opportunity over the course of the weekend. You may see our firefighters in your neighborhood to include athletic and park venues, as well as grocery, home improvement, and big box stores.

If you happen come across one of our firefighters, you will more than likely receive the below handout. Please take a brief moment to review this important, and potential lifesaving, information.

We also want to remind every Montgomery County family to plan and practice your escape routes together to help ensure everyone knows how to get out safely in the event a fire occurs in your home. Go here to learn more: Home Fire Escape Planning

Maryland Updates Smoke Alarm Law

Maryland’s new smoke alarm law requires the replacement of all BATTERY-ONLY operated smoke alarms with units powered by sealed-in, 10-year long-life batteries.

Homeowners have until January 1, 2018 to comply with the new law.

Please check out more below:

For a pdf or Word copy of this, please EMAIL HERE

It Only Takes ONE To Save Your Life!

Tonight all of you should be checking your smoke, and carbon monoxide, alarms as you are moving your clocks forward an hour. This one simple task can be a potentially life saving one!

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

Best Valentine’s Gift EVER

Last minute shoppers, still looking for a Valentine’s gift? Montgomery County Fire and Rescue officials are recommending smoke alarms as the perfect Valentine’s gift for loved ones. Nothing says you mean everything to me like the 24-hour protection that comes with a smoke alarm. And while you are busy planning the perfect evening, make it memorable for all the right reasons. A few tips to keep in mind:

• Cooking up a great meal? Stand by your pan. Too many meals are ruined when cooks get distracted or forgetful and leave cooking unattended. As much as Fire/Rescue loves your cooking, you really don’t want us to have to extinguish that perfect meal. Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires so keep anything that can catch fire – potholders, paper or plastic bags, dish towels, newspapers and curtains – away from your stovetop, oven and appliances that generate heat.
  
• Candles may look festive and set the mood however unattended candles account for thousands of fires annually. The National Fire Protection Association reports that, on average, a candle fire in the home is reported to a US Fire Department every 30 minutes. Consider battery-operated, flameless candles instead. You really can’t tell the difference!
  
• Lighting up the fireplace? Make sure that’s all you light up. Believe it or not, every year people dispose of fireplace ashes before they have sufficiently cooled. Keep your ash out of the trash and only dispose of fireplace ashes in a sealed, metal container located far from anything combustible. Never dispose of fireplace ashes in your recycling bin, trash can, paper or plastic bags or in a garage, carport or on a deck or porch. 

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue wants you to have a great Valentine’s Day. Remember, smoke alarms save lives. They make great gifts, one-size-fits-all and MCFRS will even come out and check your alarms for free! Just call 311 or visit www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe for info.

After the Blizzard: 5 Tips to Stay Safe in Your Home This Winter

Fire Chief Goldstein was on FOX5 recently and provided FIVE tips to stay safe in your home this winter.

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.

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

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

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 Awaken Sleeping Occupants To House Fire

Just before 1 AM on Monday, December 22^nd fire and rescue units were dispatched to the 2200 block of Kings House Rd. for the report of flames coming from the house. Units from Burtonsville Fire Station 15 arrived on the scene and confirmed heavy fire from the structure. 

The occupants of the house were safely outside the home upon MCFRS arrival and indicated that they were awakened by the smoke alarms sounding thus allowing time to exit the burning home. Working smoke alarms save lives!

Due to the heavy fire conditions firefighters requested a 2^nd Alarm to assist.  At some point during fire suppression operations a Mayday was declared because a firefighter had fallen through a hole on the first floor into the basement. The firefighter was quickly located, rescued and evaluated and suffered no significant injury with no transportation to the hospital required.

Approximately 75 firefighters responded to the scene and brought the fire under control.  The fire is believed to have originated in the basement with the cause currently listed as undetermined.  Two adults were displaced and one cat is currently unaccounted for.  Damages were estimated at $600K to the structure and $200K to the contents of the home.

After the fire had been extinguished a high pressure pipe, below ground under a fire hydrant, broke and began leaking in the 14900 block of Peach Orchard Rd.  WSSC was contacted and responded to the scene to address. 




 Video from WUSA Channel 9

Videos, Photo and Sound Bite From Thursday's Press Event

Yesterday, representatives from MCFRS, Prince Georges County Fire & EMS (PGFD) and PEPCO announced the generous donation of One-Thousand Smoke Alarms each to both MCFRS and PGFD. The alarms are used by both departments to assist in their effort to make sure every home in each jurisdiction has working smoke alarms.

The alarms will be provided for those who are in need and can not likewise afford one.

As well, MCFRS uses many of the alarms for our senior outreach partnerships and programs.

 

Mark Your Calendars - Upcoming Fire Department Open Houses

It’s the perfect time to check your smoke alarms!

October is Fire Prevention Month and fire stations across Montgomery County will be hosting many educational, family-oriented events and activities throughout the month.

This year’s theme focuses on the importance of working smoke alarms and knowing how old your
alarms are. Most of us pay close attention to expiration dates on food and medicine however many residents are unaware that smoke alarms also have expiration dates. All smoke alarms, hard-wired and battery powered expire and should be replaced every ten years.

Fire Chief Steve Lohr is encouraging all residents to check their smoke alarms to ensure the highest level of protection from smoke and fire. “Smoke alarms are one of the most important safety features to have in your home and if you haven’t replaced your smoke alarms since 2004, it’s time. We’re calling this the “ten year rule” to remind folks that after a decade of service, it’s time to retire and replace all expired smoke alarms.”

Open House events are free and will feature many exciting activities including tours of the station, fire safety activities, educational information/handouts, demonstrations of emergency equipment and much more. Please visit the fire station’s website or call for a complete listing of activities planned.

September 27  Germantown Fire Department, Station 29                     11:00 – 3:00 pm
                        20001 Crystal Rock Drive, Germantown, MD

                        Bethesda Fire Department, Station 6        12:00 - 3:30 pm
                  6600 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD    

October 4         Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department, Station 15 12:00 – 4:00 pm
               13900 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD
               240-773-8957
                     
October 5        Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Department, Station 40        1:00 – 4:00 pm
                        16911 Georgia Ave, Olney, MD
                        240-773-4740

               Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department    12:00 – 4:00 pm
                 19801 Beallsville Road, Beallsville, MD
                       (240) 773-4714

October 11    Rescue Day & Open House @ BCC Rescue Squad            11:00 – 4:00 pm
                      5020 Battery Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814
For more info:  www.bccrs.org

October 12     Gaithersburg –Washington Grove VFD                           12:00 – 4:00 pm
                       801 Russell Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD
                       240-773-4708  

                       Kensington Volunteer Fire Department, Station 5           12:00  – 4:00 pm
                       10620 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD
               (240) 773-4705          

October 18     Chevy Chase Fire Department, Station 7 11:00  – 4:00 pm
               8001 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD
                       301-652-0707

October 19     Hillandale Volunteer Fire Department, Station 24         12:00 – 3:00 pm
               13216 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD
               240-773-4724                                            
   
                       Glen Echo Volunteer Fire Department, Station 11         11:00 – 2:00 pm
               5920 Massachusetts Avenue, Bethesda, MD
               301-229-3200

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