Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Smoke Alarms

When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give early warning so you and your family can get outside quickly. Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan.

 

Here's what you need to know:

  • A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home.
  • Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound. 
  • Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
  • Test your smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
  • When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside.
  • Replace all smoke alarms in your home every 10 years.

If you're having trouble with your smoke alarm, we can help. Call 360-363-8500 with questions about your smoke alarm. If you don't have a smoke alarm, we can install a battery-operated alarm free of charge.

What the law says:

Washington State law requires smoke alarms in all residences, including rentals. It's the building owner's responsibility to install smoke alarms, inspect the alarms during vacancies and instruct tenants on how to maintain them. It's the tenant's responsibility to maintain smoke alarms and test them every month.

Smoke Alarm Flyer - English/Spanish
Download our smoke alarm flyer
Smoke_alarm_flyer_Eng-Sp1.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [283.0 KB]

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Often called the invisible killer, carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of carbon monoxide. Vehicles or generators running in an attached garage can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. In the aftermath of Washington's December 2006 windstorm, more than 300 people were treated at hospital emergency rooms for CO poisoning and eight people died.

 

Things to keep in mind:

  • CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards. For the best protection, interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and mounting height.
  • Test CO alarms at least once a month; replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel arrive.
  • If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow.
  • During and after a winter storm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow build-up.
  • A generator should be used in a well-ventilated location outdoors away from windows, doors and vent openings.
  • Gas or charcoal grills can produce CO — only use outside.

What the law says:

Washington State law requires that carbon monoxide alarms be installed in all apartments, single-family residences, condominiums, hotels and motels. CO alarms must also be installed in all new residences as of 2011. Owner-occupied single-family residences legally occupied before 2009 are required to have CO alarms when they are sold.

Major Recalls

• Kidde recalled nearly 500,000 dual sensor smoke alarms manufactured in 2016 to 2017 because the alarms could fail to alert consumers to a fire. Find more information here.

• Kidde recalled fire extinguishers with plastic handles. Find more information here.

• Kidde recalled combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms due to alarm failure. Find more information here.

• Kidde recalled certain 10-year hardwired smoke alarms and combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms manufactured in 2013 to 2014. Find more information here.

For a complete list of recalled products, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website here.

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CONTACT US

 

Marysville Fire District
1635 Grove Street
Marysville, WA 98270

(360) 363-8500 

 

Email: fire@mfdrfa.org

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Marysville Fire District
1635 Grove Street
Marysville, WA 98270
(360) 363-8500
© Marysville Fire District