Smoke Alarms Save Lives, But Only If You DO YOUR PART!

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- A recent home fire in Trinity County claimed the lives of a mother and two of her children in a familiar scene repeated all too often in a nation such as ours.
In 2017, the Tamina community was devastated by a fatal fire that claimed the lives of 3 young children.

Their family, along with Firefighters and citizens all across Montgomery County struggled with their grief and frustration at the loss of these precious children.

Out of the ashes of that tragedy, Montgomery County firefighters came together, and working with other first responders and local leaders, installed over 500 smoke alarms throughout Tamina. All of these alarms are equipped with long life lithium batteries allowing them to function for up to 10 years without changing batteries.

This year, Fire Officials all across Montgomery County have been traveling to area schools and talking fire safety during the month of October, spreading the word about fire prevention and safety during their traditional safety campaigns. Now, its time to do your part!
As we change our clocks back this weekend, make sure that your home has working smoke alarms. Test your alarms and change the batteries if they are equipped with conventional alkaline batteries. If your alarms are 10 years old or more, then they need to be replaced now. We recommend replacing them with long life alarms equipped with lithium batteries designed to last up to 10 years without replacement.

If you are in need of assistance, contact your local fire station or give us a call at 936-538-8288. Operation “Get Alarmed Montgomery County” makes free smoke alarms available to anyone who needs them. If you need assistance, Firefighters will come to you and install free long life smoke alarms in every bedroom and hallway. There is absolutely no cost and no obligation for participation.

In a fire, seconds count. Seconds can mean the difference between residents of our community escaping safely from a fire or having their lives end in tragedy.

That’s why this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme: “Fire won’t wait.Plan your escape!” is so important. It reinforces why everyone needs to have an escape plan. Here’s this year’s key campaign messages:

• Make sure your home escape plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.

• Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.

• Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.

• Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.

• Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night.