GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY, MAYOR STEPHANIE RAWLINGS-BLAKE URGE FIRE, CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY

BALTIMORE, MD (December 22, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake joined the Maryland State Fire Marshal, the President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Maryland, members of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association, and firefighters from throughout the state today to urge safety for all Marylanders this holiday season.  The holiday season and the cold winter months often carry with them fire hazards in the home, including holiday decorations and unsafe home heating.  Generators and other appliances can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning if unmonitored.  Governor O’Malley and Mayor Rawlings-Blake touted state and city programs that can help Maryland families get the detectors they need, and assistance with energy bills during the cold weather.

“Protecting the public’s safety is the most solemn obligation we have as public servants,” said Governor O’Malley.  “That includes protecting families from the fire hazards that typically come with the holidays, and ensuring that homes and businesses are equipped with the proper detection equipment to keep every Marylander safe.  There is no such thing as a spare Marylander, and protecting our most vulnerable citizens is among our highest priorities.”

Statewide, there have been 69 fire deaths in 2010, a slight decline from the comparable period last year.  Governor O’Malley put particular emphasis on energy assistance programs the state provides, encouraging citizens to take advantage of these programs rather than attempting unsafe home heating techniques.  Home energy assistance information can be found at problemsolver.maryland.gov.

“I want to thank Governor O’Malley and the State Fire Marshall’s office for their efforts to keep Baltimore City residents safe this winter,” said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.  “In Baltimore, fire safety is a priority.  That is why we reduced rotating closures, and increased funding for smoke alarms with longer-lasting lithium batteries that are available to any resident who needs one.”

Baltimore City residents can apply for free smoke detectors from the Baltimore City Fire Department here. Firefighters from throughout Maryland joined the Governor and Mayor at today’s event to urge safety for all Maryland families.  The event took place at the Herman Williams, Jr. Fire Station in Baltimore City.

“Make sure to test all of the smoke alarms in your home!  Smoke alarms are one of the most effective life saving safety tools in preventing injury or death from fire,” stated State Fire Marshal William E. Barnard.  “Every Marylander needs to take personal responsibility to ensure their smoke alarms operate properly in the event a fire occurs in their home.”

Heating Safety

·     Keep anything that can burn at least three-feet away from heating equipment.

·     Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.

·     Never use your oven to heat your home.

·     Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacture’s instructions.

·     Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.

·     Turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

·     Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.

·     Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.

·     Test smoke alarms monthly.

                                             

Preventing Christmas Tree Fires

• Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent.
• Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree.
• Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks.
• Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.
• Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove for disposal.
• When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.

Holiday Lights

• Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up.
• Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.
• Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe.
• Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires - they should not be warm to the touch.
• Do not leave holiday lights on unattended.

Holiday Decorations

• All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents.
• Never put wrapping paper in a fireplace.
• If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

Candle Care

• Avoid using lit candles.  If you do use them, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.
• Do not go near a Christmas tree with an open flame - candles, lighters or matches.

Smoke Alarms

·     Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. Many fatal fires begin late at night or in the early morning. For extra safety, install smoke alarms both inside and outside sleeping areas. Since smoke and many deadly gases rise, installing your smoke alarms at the proper level will provide you with the earliest warning possible. Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

·     If your smoke alarms are hard wired, that is wired into the electrical system, you will need to have a qualified electrician do the initial installation or install replacements.  For battery powered smoke alarms, all you will need for installation is a screw driver. Some brands are self adhesive and will easily stick to the wall or ceiling where they are placed.  For all smoke alarm installations, be sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions because there are differences between the various brands.  Call your local fire department (on a non-emergency telephone number) if you have problems installing a smoke alarm.

Protect Yourself and Your Family from CO Poisoning

• Install at least one carbon monoxide alarm with an audible warning signal near the sleeping areas and outside individual bedrooms. Make sure the alarm has been evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Carbon monoxide alarms measure levels of CO over time and are designed to sound an alarm before an average, healthy adult would experience symptoms. It is very possible that you may not be experiencing symptoms when you hear the alarm. This does not mean that CO is not present.
• Have a qualified professional check all fuel burning appliances, furnaces, venting and chimney systems at least once a year.
• Never use your range or oven to help heat your home and never use a charcoal grill or hibachi in your home or garage.
• Never keep a car running in a garage. Even if the garage doors are open, normal circulation will not provide enough fresh air to reliably prevent a dangerous buildup of CO.
• When purchasing an existing home, have a qualified technician evaluate the integrity of the heating and cooking systems, as well as the sealed spaces between the garage and house. The presence of a carbon monoxide alarm in your home can save your life in the event of CO buildup.

Escape Planning

·     Draw a home escape plan and discuss it with everyone in your home.

·     Practice the plan at night and during the day with everyone in your home, twice a year.

·     Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily.

·     Have an outside meeting place (like a tree, light pole or mailbox) a safe distance from the home where everyone should meet.

·     Practice using different ways out.

·     Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.

·     Close doors behind as you leave.