Maryland State Fire Marshal- Fire Prevention Week - post

This concise guide synthesizes the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Fire Prevention Week guidance and translates it into practical, program-level actions early childhood professionals can implement to reduce ignition sources, strengthen smoke‑alarm reliability, and improve evacuation readiness. For a state‑approved, program-level grounding in prevention and emergency planning, take H&H Child Care Training Center's Basic Health & Safety Course Buy Now $35.00$30.00. For premises-focused hazard reduction and identification of environmental risks, see the Building and Physical Premises Safety Buy Now $10.00 course. Below we summarize Maryland context, operational checks for classrooms and family homes, evacuation-drill practice tailored to infants and toddlers, and recommended training pathways to improve program resilience and regulatory compliance.

What does the Maryland State Fire Marshal say about Fire Prevention Week?

What is Fire Prevention Week and when is it observed?

OCTOBER 7 - 13, 2018

       STATEWIDE (October 3, 2018)  -   It's time for Fire Prevention Week.  From October 7-13 the Office of the State Fire Marshal is joining forces with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) United States Fire Administration (USFA) and fire departments throughout the State to remind residents to LOOK. LISTEN. LEARN.  BE AWARE.  FIRE CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE.   During this year's fire safety campaign, fire departments will be spreading the word about, “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere,” works to educate people about three basic but essential steps to take to reduce the likelihood of having a fire––and how to escape safely in the event of one:

        LOOK

        Look for places fire could start.  Take a good look around your home.  Identify potential fire hazards and take care of them.

        LISTEN

        Listen for the sound of the smoke alarm.  You could have only minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds.  Go to your outside meeting place, which must be a safe distance from the homes and everyone should know where to meet.

        LEARN

        Learn two ways out of every room.  Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily and are free of clutter.

          "All too often a tragedy occurs involving a dwelling fire that claims the life of an occupant and/or occupants," said State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci.  "Sadly, in many of these occurrences, a lack of operating smoke alarms is revealed during the investigation.  It is our hope that ‘Fire Prevention Week’ will help us reach folks throughout the State of Maryland before they've suffered a tragic loss resulting from the effects of fire."  In 2017, firefighters in the United States responded to an estimated 1,319,500 fires. An estimated 499,000 of those occurred in structures, and an estimated 820,500 occurred outside of structures or involved vehicles. These fires accounted for an estimated 3,420 deaths, 2,810 of which occurred in structures and 610 in non-structure, vehicle, or outside fires.         

Below are some of the safety tips that firefighters and safety advocates will be emphasizing: 

How should Maryland child care providers check smoke alarms and lithium‑battery risks?

Program leaders and family‑home providers should institutionalize routine, documented checks of smoke‑alarm systems and charging practices to address the specific risk of lithium‑ion batteries highlighted during recent Fire Prevention Week campaigns. At minimum:

1. Test all alarms monthly and replace batteries per manufacturer guidance; keep a dated log of tests and battery replacements.
2. Prefer hardwired, interlinked alarms when facility systems and building rules allow; interconnection reduces escape time risk when a single alarm detects smoke.
3. When devices or chargers are used onsite (e.g., to charge equipment), ensure chargers are manufacturer‑approved, never charge on soft surfaces (couches, bedding), and store batteries and spares away from heat and direct sunlight. (See the Fire Prevention Week lithium‑battery guidance cited below.)
4. Only purchase smoke alarms and batteries with a recognized safety certification (UL, ETL, CSA) and follow manufacturer disposal or recycling guidance for lithium batteries.

These actions implement the BUY / CHARGE / RECYCLE emphasis publicized during Maryland’s statewide Fire Prevention Week and help reduce device‑related ignition sources (local coverage of the lithium‑battery theme).

How do I run effective fire evacuation drills for infants, toddlers and mixed‑age groups?

Drills must be developmentally appropriate and practiced frequently enough that every staff member and child knows roles, exits, and the outdoor meeting point. A practical checklist for a drill:

1. Plan: assign explicit adult responsibilities (lead, sweep, infant carrier, attendance) and map two exit routes from each room.
2. Prepare: ensure evacuation equipment (crib evacuation straps, evacuation backpacks, carrier slings) is accessible and staff know infant/toddler transfer techniques.
3. Execute: run drills under different conditions (simulated low light, blocked route) and time each drill to identify bottlenecks.
4. Debrief: document lessons, update the plan, and communicate changes to families.
5. Record: keep drill logs (date, time, attendance, problems found, corrective actions) to demonstrate routine practice during licensing visits.

For practical staff training on program‑level emergency preparedness (including fire response and special‑needs considerations), consider the ChildCareEd course Stay Alert! Steps for Emergency Prep Buy Now $25.00 and our article on teaching young children about fire safety (How Can Child Care Programs Teach Fire Safety Effectively to Young Children?).

Which Maryland regulations and local guidance should my program consult about fire safety?

Maryland providers should document how their fire‑safety practices align with state expectations and local fire marshal guidance. The Maryland General Assembly has historically encouraged statewide observance of National Fire Prevention Week and local proclamations; see the Maryland archives noting statewide recognition. For program‑level compliance and staff requirements, review Maryland staff and licensing materials and your county fire marshal recommendations. Helpful site articles on starting and licensing family care and center operations in Maryland and nearby states include:

• Starting an In-Home Daycare in Maryland: Requirements and Tips
• Maryland Staff Requirements (resource)
• How to Get a Home Daycare License
• Planning for seasonal hazards and community events (example guidance)
• How to Get a Daycare License in Virginia (compare neighboring-state rules)
• How to Open a Home Daycare in Nevada (operational checklist)

Which ChildCareEd courses help programs meet fire‑safety and emergency‑preparedness requirements?

Recommended courses: the Basic Health & Safety Course and Building and Physical Premises Safety (both already linked in the intro) provide program‑level prevention and premises checks. For drill design, communication and documentation practices, enroll staff in Stay Alert! Steps for Emergency Prep Buy Now $25.00. For licensing or credentialing needs, see Maryland‑specific credential resources and Health & Safety Orientation courses on ChildCareEd.

What are the authoritative references I should keep on file?

Keep a short reference list in your emergency binder: the Maryland archival notice encouraging statewide observance of Fire Prevention Week and local coverage of the current Fire Prevention Week lithium‑battery safety theme. Representative sources are listed below.

What are the key takeaways for Maryland child care providers?

In summary: institutionalize monthly alarm checks and documented drills, reduce lithium‑battery and charging risks, practice developmentally appropriate evacuations, and ensure staff training and documentation are aligned with Maryland guidance. Combine program training (Basic Health & Safety; Building and Physical Premises Safety; Stay Alert! Steps for Emergency Prep) with local fire‑marshal recommendations to strengthen your preparedness posture.

Tags: #fire #safety #evacuation #Maryland #preparedness

References

• Lithium battery safety focus of Fire Prevention Week | News — supports the article's Fire Prevention Week theme and BUY/CHARGE/RECYCLE actions.
• Archives of Maryland — Session Laws, 1994 — supports statewide recognition and historical proclamations for National Fire Prevention Week in Maryland.

•  Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stove top.
•  All heaters need space.  Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from heating equipment.
•  Make sure everyone in your home knows the smoke alarm sound and what to do if they hear it.
•  Find two ways out of every room.
•  Make sure doors and windows are not blocked.
•  Get outside to your meeting place.
•  Make sure you close your bedroom door at night.

          Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the country.  Additionally, fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record.