Lansdale Fire Marshal Offers Safety Tips in Wake of Fatal Fires in Philadelphia

(The following information was provided by Lansdale Borough Fire Marshal Rick Lesniak.)

Over the past weekend, a fire claimed the lives of four more people in the city of Philadelphia. The borough is urging residents to use this and previous fire examples to make sure the fatal outcomes are not repeated here in Lansdale. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast so working smoke alarms give you early warning to get outside quickly. 

Smoke Alarm Safety

• Install Smoke Alarms in All Bedrooms. Place them outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home including the basement. Large homes may need extra smoke alarms. 
• Use Interconnected Smoke Alarms. With this system, when one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound. Test all smoke alarms at least once a month by pressing the test button to be sure the alarm is working. 
• Avoid False Alarms by Using Tech Savvy Units. Current alarms on the market respond to a multitude of fire conditions by employing different types of technology including multi-sensing, which could include smoke and carbon monoxide combined.
• Keep Alarms High and Properly Placed. Alarms should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet from the stove.
• Be Sure Everyone in the House Will Be Alerted. People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.
• Check Your Smoke Alarms Regularly. Test your alarms to make sure they are working properly at least twice a year and replace them every ten years. 

Even if fire breaks out in your home and your properly installed smoke alarms work as they should, you still may only have minutes to get to safety, so planning ahead is key to making sure everyone knows what to do and where to go in the event of a fire.

Escape Planning

• Make a Home Escape Plan with Two Ways Out. Draw a map of your home showing all doors and windows and discuss where everyone in your home should go. Repeat the process often with young children.
• Have A Pre-Determined Outside Meeting Place. Pick a landmark such as a tree, light pole, or mailbox —not a fire hydrant — a safe distance from the home where everyone should meet.
• Practice Escaping at Various Times of Day. Fires can happen at any time, so make sure everyone is prepared to find the meeting place during daylight as well as evening hours. 
• Close Doors Behind You as You Leave. Don’t let the fire follow you as you head to safety. Closed doors also slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire. 
• Get Out and Stay Out. Never go back inside the home for people or pets. 
• Call The Fire Department. Alert the authorities of the fire from outside the home after you are safe. 

Virtual Fire Safety Survey

Using this link, residents can access the Virtual Fire Safety Survey providing the opportunity to take stock of the safety measures present in their home as well as additional opportunities available to homeowners and tenants to make the home safer.

Free Smoke Alarm Program

Lansdale Borough residents can obtain a free smoke alarm from the Borough Fire Marshal, Richard Lesniak. Requests for equipment can be made via email at [email protected] or by calling 215-361-8320. Residents outside of Lansdale Borough can reach out to their local Fire Department and/or Fire Marshal for further information on specific municipality smoke alarm and fire safety programs. 

See also:

Local Volunteer Fire Companies Struggle to Recruit, Fundraise as Pandemic Rages On

Mayoral Musings: Lansdale Borough Hires Rick Lesniak as EMC

Photos: Lansdale Family Displaced Following Two-Alarm Fire, Community Support Underway

Photos: Family Displaced Following Two Alarm Fire on Clear Spring Road

Towamencin Fire Co. Promotes Fire Safety in Wake of New Year’s Day Blaze