National Fire Prevention Week: You Can Save a Life

It's National Fire Prevention Week and the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue services wants to let people know how to stay safe using smoke alarms.

"Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!" is this year's theme, and along with the National Fire Protection Agency, local officials are trying to spread the word about these, cheap, effective and potentially life-saving tools and how they can help everyone stay safer.

"Smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death," Fire Chief William F. Goddard, III said in a statement. "This year our Department is going one step further. With the help of a grant, we will be distributing specially designed smoke alarms, known as SafeAwake, to the hearing impaired. We are truly committed to the goal of making sure everyone has access to this life-saving device."

Smoke alarms significantly reduce the risk of dying or sustaining serious injuries in a fire, according to the NFPA, but they have to be in working order to do their jobs. According to NFPA statistics, many residences have broken or disconnected smoke alarms, and often, people don't replace the batteries when they die.

"Many homes in Howard County may not have enough smoke alarms, alarms that are too old, or alarms that are not working," County Executive, Ken Ulman said in a statement. "We want residents to understand that working smoke alarms are needed in every home and on every level. And, if a smoke alarm is 10 years old or older, it should be replaced."

To that end, fire stations around the county will be hosting open houses at volunteer fire stations to give the public a behind-the-scenes look at fire and rescue services. The HCDFRS is also gong to schools as part of its Safe House program, teaching 2nd graders about fire safety and the importance of smoke alarms. Here are some things you can do to make sure smoke alarms are in working order:

• Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button, and make sure everyone in your home knows their sound.
• If an alarm "chirps," warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.
• Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they're 10 years old (or sooner) if they do not respond properly when tested.
• Never remove or disable a smoke alarm.

"Most people have a sense of complacency about smoke alarms because they already have one in their homes. Fire Prevention Week provides an excellent opportunity to re-educate people about smoke alarms, new technologies and expanded options for installation and maintenance," Judy Comoletti, division manager for NFPA public education said in a statement.  

"Ultimately, we want this year's campaign to serve as a call to action for households nationwide to inspect their homes to ensure that their families have the full smoke alarm protection that's recommended."

Residents can find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in Howard County by calling the Office of the Fire Marshal at 410-313-6040. Catch an open house at a volunteer fire station near you:

• Elkridge October 2, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Ellicott City October 16, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
• Lisbon October 2, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Clarksville October 10, 11 a.m. -  2 p.m.
• Savage October 9 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
• West Friendship – October 10 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.