Every fall, the National Fire Protection agency urges homeowners to take steps to prevent a fire in your home.
FREDERICK, Md. (KR) The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office says when you are changing back your clocks this weekend, you should also check your smoke alarm batteries.
Every fall, the National Fire Protection agency urges homeowners to take steps to prevent a fire in your home.
Bruce Bouche, with the State Fire Marshal’s Office says the threat of winter fires in the home is very serious.
“It is a national campaign and it is an effort to get everyone to maintain their smoke alarms, as well as their carbon monoxide detectors in their homes. If these devices do not act appropriately when a fire occurs, it could mean the difference between life and death,” said Bouche.
He said it’s important to have chimneys cleaned before used and to follow precautions for electrical heating units.
“As you go through things, you want to make sure that you have your space heaters prepared as well. Make sure you vacuum them, clean them, ensure there is no dust or dirt build up. When you do have them in use, plug them directly into a wall, never use an extension cord or multi-plug adapter,” said Bouche.
The U.S. Fire Administration says 29% of fires that spread through the house happened because a space heater or fire place was too close to something combustible.