Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930

mebrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO

The fun and excitement surrounding Halloween can suddenly turn to sorrow and misfortune through one careless act. The incidence of fire, accident, and injury often increases during holidays and festive events. Each year, firefighters and paramedics witness incidents on Halloween that could have been prevented had simple safety rules been followed. Among the high-risk activities on Halloween; door-to-door trick-or-treating is one of greatest concerns to Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department personnel. Between 4:00 PM and 10:00 PM on Halloween, there is a significant increase in falls, burn-related injuries, and pedestrian injuries. Children are four and a half times more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than on any other night during the year. Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween. Additionally, many parties and festivities are planned over the Halloween weekend which could result in an increase in adult alcohol consumption with inherent dangers.

Often, there are safe alternatives to trick-or-treating that can be fun and also risk-free. Local houses of worship and schools may plan Halloween parties, or families may get together and conduct games and activities instead of allowing young children to engage in trick-or-treating in neighborhoods or along busy streets. Prince George’s County Fire Chief Benjamin M. Barksdale urges adults to take a more pro-active role in activities on Halloween. Additionally, he reminds adults to be vigilant and exercise due caution when traveling to avoid automobile related crashes. Barksdale stated, “Remember safety should be a priority and lets work together to ensure everyone goes home.”

For those who plan to venture out trick-or-treating, the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department would like to offer the following safety tips so that all might enjoy a happy and safe Halloween:

• Costumes should be made of flame resistant light-colored fabric or have reflective qualities. They should be short enough so as not to interfere with walking or become entangled in bicycle chains. Use facial makeup rather than masks so children can see easily.
• Children should carry flashlights and not use candles or torches. Before leaving the home, children should discuss the proposed route, time of return, and companions. An adult should always accompany younger children. It is advisable to visit the homes of persons you know or local familiar neighborhoods, stopping at well-lit houses only. As a general rule, children should avoid entering homes or apartments and always travel with a companion.

• Children should avoid busy streets, always use sidewalks, and follow all traffic rules and regulations. Motorists should avoid all unnecessary travel on Halloween evening, and when driving they should drive slowly and be alert to small children crossing streets. Many accidents occur when motorists are backing vehicles out of driveways, unaware of the presence of small children.

• Halloween treats should be saved until children return home where adults can examine all items closely. Treats that are unwrapped, or show signs of having been opened, should not be eaten. Fruit should be sliced into small pieces and checked for foreign objects. Keep small pieces of candy away from infants and very small children, as they can easily become lodged in the throat and cause choking.

• Persons receiving trick-or-treaters should keep a light on and pick up obstacles that could cause a child to trip and become injured. Jack-o-lanterns should be kept clear of doorsteps and landings. Consider the possibility of using flashlights instead of candles to light Jack-o-lanterns. Keep dogs and other pets away from doors so children will not become frightened.

A recent trend in celebrating Halloween has been to celebrate as groups at parties or community events in addition to more adult Halloween parties being held. This trend has resulted in fewer door-to-door trick-or-treaters, however, creates additional vehicles on the street. With Halloween falling on Tuesday, October 31, there are numerous additional Halloween parties planned for both adults and children over the October 27, 28 and 29th weekend.

When festive occasions are celebrated involving adults, the consumption of alcohol goes up. The Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department offer these everyday reminders and safety tips to party-goers:

• Never drink and drive.

• Always wear your seat belt and ensure everyone in your vehicle is buckled up as well.

• If you are wearing a costume – vehicle occupants, including the driver, should not wear a mask or head dressing as this may block the view of the driver.

• Be aware that there are still many trick or treaters walking and crossing streets – slow your speed and use extreme care while driving.

• Use battery powered illumination instead of candles at your Halloween celebration, including inside of your carved pumpkin.

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930

MEBrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO

Firefighters rescued 3 young occupants of a Temple Hills home fire this morning. Just after 7:00 am, Sunday, October 29, 2017 firefighters and medics were alerted to a house fire in the 4700 block of Alcon Drive. A 911-call taker received an emergency call from a female stating that her house was on fire and her children were trapped on the 2^nd floor of the home. The children were unable to escape due to the thick smoke and high heat in the hallway. This information was relayed to responding firefighters by dispatchers at Public Safety Communications.

First arriving firefighters from the Silver Hill Fire/EMS Station 829 arrived with smoke showing from the house. A rapid circle check of the house revealed to the officer-in-charge, Fire Lt. Michael Perritt, that there was a fire located in the 1^st floor kitchen. With a crew of five firefighters onboard the engine Lt. Perritt was able to split his crew. He directed a firefighter to advance a hose line to the first floor kitchen and extinguish the fire while Perritt and 2 other firefighters went to the 2^nd floor to search for the trapped occupants.

Despite high heat and near zero visibility the crews located 2 children in one room and an infant in another. The 3 children were brought down through the interior stairwell to the exterior where firefighters initiated immediate rescue breathing on 2 and cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the infant. All 3 children responded to the life-saving efforts and started breathing on their own. The fire was extinguished within 2 minutes of arrival with search and rescues occurring shortly thereafter.

An adult male escaped the 2^nd floor by jumping out of a window. He was not injured. A secondary search of the house found that all other occupants had escaped prior to the fire departments arrival.

A total of 4 occupants between the ages of 17 years of age and 4 months old were transported to a hospital suffering from heat and exposure to smoke. They were transported in serious but stable condition.

A working smoke alarm could be heard by firefighters as they entered the structure.

There were 8 occupants inside the house this morning. A total of 9 normally reside there and will be displaced. They are being assisted by the County Citizen Services Unit and the American Red Cross.

The cause of the fire is undetermined and fire loss is still being estimated. No additional injuries were reported.

The Fire/EMS Department believes the working smoke alarm alerted and awoke the sleeping occupants. Occupants stand a 50% better chance of surviving a home fire if you have working smoke alarms.

This upcoming weekend, when we adjust our clocks back 1 hour we also need to change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms as well. Smoke and CO alarms should be tested on the Safety First Day of every month to ensure they are working.

A new law will go into effect on January 1^st, 2018 requiring all battery operated smoke alarms to be a 10-year, sealed battery, model. 10-year smoke and CO alarms eliminate the need to change batteries. Firefighters frequently find smoke alarms not working due to dead or missing batteries. As many as two-thirds of residential fire fatalities occur in homes with non-working smoke alarms or no smoke alarms at all. The Maryland State Law will require homeowners to install 10-year smoke alarms on every level of your home, primarily just outside of sleeping areas. Smoke alarms also need to be installed in every bedroom and we encourage everyone to sleep with their bedroom door closed.

Additionally, families need to plan an escape plan, which identifies 2 ways out of every room in the house and a safe meeting place outside.

If any County resident is in need of a working 10-year smoke alarm and cannot afford to purchase one themselves to call 311. A firefighter will come to your home and install 1 alarm for you, free of charge.

Any family requiring assistance in planning an exit drill in your home can contact our Community Risk Reduction program at 301-883-5250.

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Halloween Safety Tips

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Fallen Firefighters to be honored at National Memorial this weekend