National Fire Prevention Month
October is National Fire Prevention Month, it dates back to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that killed more than 250 people and left more than 100,000 homeless. Everyone should take the time to create a safety plan for your family and have multiple evacuation plans ready. It is also essential to practice your evacuation plans twice a year, because fire spreads rapidly and poisonous, disorienting smoke moves even quicker. Caution should be taken when cooking using electrical appliances and heating our homes. Never leave candles burning when you are not in the room or near curtains or other flammable fabric, and keep space heaters at least 36 inches (or follow manufacturer directions) from walls and furniture.
If you live in Maryland there is a new smoke alarm law which requires all homes and apartments to have a 10 year battery sealed smoke alarm installed on each floor. By using good judgment and common sense hopefully we won’t have to meet this winter season.