Safety First Day of the Month - July

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930

mebrady@co.pg.md.us     @PGFDPIO

Today is Safety First Day of the Month of July.  It is the day designated for residents to test their smoke  and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they are working.  If they are not working, replace the battery or replace the entire alarm with a new 10 year, with hush feature alarm.  Changes in our laws will require these type of alarms so you should replace your alarm now.

Test your alarms - it may just be the difference between life and death.

Today, Prince George's County has a new law, one that is designed to save lives.  All 1 and 2 family homes are required to install a carbon monoxide (CO) detector in their home if their home has:

A gas service for heating or cooking

A fireplace

An attached garage

A CO detector must be installed on every level of your home.  Detectors can be purchased at home improvement stores and other retail outlets.  Ensure the alarm you purchase is marked with the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) seal.  This indicates your detector meets or exceeds testing standards.

The Fire/EMS Department strongly recommends you to purchase and install a combination smoke and CO 10-year, tamper proof, with hush feature alarm.  This alarm will provide you and your family the maximum amount of protection available.

• The Fire/EMS Department wishes everyone a Happy and Safe Fourth of July Holiday.  Remember that all consumer purchased fireworks are illegal.  Visit one of the many public and municipal displays.

• Just this past week a working smoke alarm sounded and alerted home occupants of a fire.  the families in Beltsville and Oxon Hill all escaped safely!!!

• The Department is not currently providing CO alarms to homeowners.  We continue to provide smoke alarms, installed in your home, free of charge.  Call 301-864-SAFE (7233).

• Consider dining out at Ledos in College Park on July 17.  15% of your purchase will be donated to the PGFD SPCA Sparky Fire Fund.  This fund will allow us to take pets found injured in house fires to the vet and initiate treatment immediately.  This offer is good from 11 am until 10 pm.  You will need to bring a flier with you.  Click here for more information and a flier.