STATE FIRE MARSHAL REMINDS ALL MARYLANDERS
OF FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY ISSUES DURING POWER OUTAGES
STATEWIDE (September 11, 2018) – Severe storms may cause
disruption in electrical service to our homes.
State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci is cautioning citizens when using
alternative light and electrical sources during power outages. “These
easy to follow tips will help all Marylanders avoid injury or death during
power outages,” said the State Fire Marshal.
·
Use
flashlights during power outages instead of burning candles. Keep plenty of fresh batteries on hand at all
times. If you prefer the look of
candles, consider flameless battery operated candles that offer the flickering
light without the potential fire hazard.
·
If using
candles, make sure they are placed on a stable piece of furniture in sturdy
holders that will not tip over. Candles should fit in the holders securely and the
holders should be made of material that will not burn.
·
Keep
candles away from anything combustible, such as; clothing, books, papers,
curtains, decorations or anything else that can burn.
·
Do not
place candles where they can be knocked over by children or pets.
·
Always
extinguish all candles when leaving the room or before going to sleep.
·
Never
use candles, matches or lighters if medical oxygen therapy is used in the home.
·
Charged
solar landscape lighting can be brought indoors for temporary lighting as a
safe and effective alternative to candles.
·
Ensure
burners on stoves are in the off position during a power outage and remove any
items from the stove-top to prevent unattended heating when the power is turned
back on.
·
Fuel
burning appliances can produce the deadly, tasteless and odorless gas known as
carbon monoxide. Install and maintain CO
alarms inside your home to provide an early warning of carbon monoxide exposure.
·
If you
are depending on portable generators for electricity during power outages, use
extreme caution when refueling. Fuel
splashed on a hot muffler could ignite, causing severe burns and serious
injuries.
·
Never
attempt to refuel a generator while it is running. Always allow the unit to cool before
attempting to refuel.
·
Operate
generators outside of the home and outside of garages. Carbon monoxide gas produced by operating
generators is poisonous and can quickly cause severe injury or death.
·
Ensure
placement of the generator does not allow carbon monoxide to enter the home
through windows, doors or other openings.
The State Fire Marshal
offers one final tip that is just as important. “Make sure your home is equipped
with working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. These early notification devices are some of
the most effective fire and life safety tools for preventing injury or death
from fire and carbon monoxide poisoning”.
The
Office of the State Fire Marshal is an agency of the Department of
State Police dedicated to helping protect citizens from fire and
explosion through a comprehensive program of education,
inspection, investigation and fire protection engineering. For more
information on fire safety call 1-800-525-3124, log onto our website at: Maryland State Fire Marshal and/or our Facebook Page.
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