2014 05 07 statewide get out stay out fire safety

Maryland State Fire Marshal

News Release Martin O’Malley Governor

Brian S. Geraci State Fire Marshal

ARE YOU FIRE SAFE WHERE YOU LIVE? STATEWIDE (May 7, 2014) – The State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci is asking all Marylanders, “Are you safe from the effects of fire?” Fires can occur inside a home for a multitude of reasons. The Fire Marshal requests the citizens of Maryland to prepare in case a fire would occur where they live. The importance and value of working smoke alarms and fire escape plans is paramount in escaping the effects of fire. Please review and follow the listed fire safety tips provided below.

Smoke alarms Test Your Alarm for Life!

Your smoke alarm has the power to save your life. Or does it? If you haven't tested your smoke alarm lately, it may not be working. And that's a risk you can't afford to take. Working smoke alarms give us early warning of a fire, providing extra time to escape safely. But they can't do their job if we haven't done ours - monthly testing to make sure they're working. Test all the smoke alarms in your home, for the life of the alarm and for the lives of your loved ones. Smoke alarms 10 years old and older should be replaced to help ensure early notification during a fire emergency.

When was the last time you tested your smoke alarms?

Last month? Last year? Can't remember? If you're not sure your smoke alarms are working, then how can you be sure you'll be protected if a fire breaks out? Don't gamble with your life and assume your smoke alarms are working. Test each one, every month, so you'll know they'll be ready to protect you and your family if there's a fire. Test your alarm for life.

Do you have the time?

Can you afford to spend a few minutes each month to test the smoke alarms in your home? Can you afford not to? Going without the protection of a working smoke alarm is a risk too dangerous to take.

In a fire, you'll need every second to get out safely, and the early warning from a smoke alarm can make the difference between surviving a fire and dying in one. Test your smoke alarms today. You can't afford not to.

1201 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208

Escape planning How much time do you have to get out of a fire?

Not as much as you think. Real fires are hot, smoky and dark. You may have only a very few minutes to safely escape from fire. If you're ever in a fire, don't spend time getting dressed or trying to gather valuables. Just get out and stay out. Then call the fire department from your cell phone or a neighbor's telephone.

If you have a fire tonight, will you get out safely?

You'll have a better chance of getting out safely if you've planned ahead. Develop a fire escape plan and practice it with the whole family. Everyone should know two ways out of each room and know where to meet outside. Make sure everyone understands that getting out is the first priority. And remember, once you're outside, stay out.

"Get Out, Stay Out" - Your fire safe response!

What would you do if your home caught on fire? Would you know where to go if smoke or flames blocked your escape? There is no time to think about these questions in a real fire. It's hot, smoky, and so dark you may not be able to see your own hands. Know ahead of time what to do if there's a fire.

Develop an escape plan with two ways out of every room. You'll need a second way in case your primary exit is blocked by smoke or flames. And make sure every exit is accessible, including windows. Getting out is your first priority in a fire. And once out, stay out!

A new Maryland law became effective on July 1, 2013 involving “battery only” smoke alarms used in residential properties. When “battery only” smoke alarms have reached their 10-year life span, they need to be replaced with new long-life sealed lithium battery smoke alarms with silence/hush button features. The silence/hush button feature temporarily disables the alarm so the occupant can ventilate the space from mild smoke conditions typically created during some cooking operations. The use of these alarms eliminates the need to replace the batteries during the 10 year life of the alarm.

If your property is protected with 120 volt electric smoke alarms, they also should be replaced every 10 years with new 120 volt smoke alarms w/ battery back-up to ensure proper and timely operation in the event of a fire.

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1201 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208

The Office of the State Fire Marshal is an agency of the Department of State Police dedicated to helping protect citizens from fire and explosion through a comprehensive program of education, inspection, investigation and fire protection engineering. For more information on fire safety call 1-800-525-3124, log onto our website at: www.mdsp.org/firemarshal and/or http://facebook.com/MarylandStateFireMarshal. Follow us on Twitter: @OSFM_PIO

Media contact: Bruce D. Bouch, Deputy State Fire Marshal; 443-324-6876

1201 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208