Safety First Day of the Month - Test your Smoke Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Detector


Sunday, July 1, 2012, was the first day of the month, it is time to perform the most basic function in ensuring you, your family and loved ones are protected by a working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide (co) detector.

On the first day of every month the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department will remind you to test your smoke alarm and co detector to ensure they are working. Tragedy struck the County in April and we, the Fire/EMS Department and you, need to do our part in keeping safety first.

Push the “test” button on the front cover of your wall/ceiling mounted smoke alarm or co detector.

An audible warning tone should be heard loud and clear throughout the area it is located.

• If your smoke alarm or co detector does not emit a sound when tested:

1. Provide a fresh battery to the device and re-test.

2. Still no audible warning?? Replace the device with a new one immediately.

When testing your smoke alarm, it’s a good time to gather your family and allow them to hear the audible warning signal. Let them know what to do in the event they hear the warning, discuss two ways out of every room and designate a safe meeting place outside in the event of a fire or other emergency.

If you have any questions about fire safety, escape planning, carbon monoxide detectors or smoke alarms contact our Safety First program at 301-864-SAFE (7233).

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