Operation Fire Safe Kicks Off in Arlington
Published on April 05, 2019
The Arlington County Fire Department wants to help you make your home safer from fire.
Beginning Sat., April 6, 2019, and continuing through Sat., Oct. 5, 2019, Arlington County firefighters will be going door to door offering home safety checks to include inspecting smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms and giving relevant fire safety tips. For homes not protected by smoke alarms, firefighters will install working smoke alarms free of charge.
Last year Arlington County firefighters visited 4,439 homes, installed 203 free smoke alarms and replaced 221 alarm batteries.
Smoke Alarms
Fire is fast, hot and deadly. It only takes minutes for thick, black smoke to fill a house. A smoke alarm can give you the extra minute or two that you need to get out of your home.
Have working smoke alarms on every level, including the basement. Put smoke alarms inside each bedroom and outside all sleeping areas. Push the test button until the alarm sounds. Do this each month. Interconnected smoke alarms provide the best protection. When one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound.
Escape Plans
Half of home fire deaths happen late at night. A working smoke alarm can wake you up. Every second counts, so know what you'll do if you have a fire. Make an escape plan. Know two ways out of each room. Plan your escape around the abilities of children and older adults.
Prevent Electrical Fires
Electrical problems are a leading cause of home fires. Start off right in your new home. Plug major appliances like refrigerators and stoves directly into the wall outlet. Only plug one heat-producing appliance into an outlet at a time. This includes coffee makers, space heaters and microwaves. If you need additional outlets, have them installed by an electrician.
Extension cords are for temporary use only. Keep all cords out of foot traffic, but don't run them under carpets or rugs. Throw away cracked, frayed or damaged electrical cords before you move.
For additional information on Operation Fire Safe or to request a home safety check, visit the County website. And follow ACFD on social media @ArlingtonVaFD.