The Bethesda Fire Department’s Annual Open House will have all the activities you’ve come to expect for the kids.
But there will also be a new focus on fire prevention and an incentive for homeowners to update their smoke alarms.
The open house runs from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Fire Station #6 (corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Bradley Boulevard). Besides the free hot dogs, games, and a chance to check out the fire engines, event sponsor Strosniders Hardware will offer some money off on new smoke alarms through October.
A new state law requires the replacement of battery-only alarms with units powered by sealed-in, 10-year-long-life batteries. Alarms must also be replaced every 10 years, a smoke alarm is required outside of each sleeping area and on every level of a home, including basements. A smoke alarm is required in all sleeping rooms, especially important if you have a home built before 1994, which didn’t have that requirement. The new law gives homeowners until Jan. 1, 2018 to comply.
Stronsidners (6930 Arlington Rd.) will set up a booth and fire officials will be on hand to provide information about the new requirements. There will also be a number of elected officials and candidates to meet and greet people, according to Department PR and Fundraising Chairman Andrew Genova.
Flickr photo by thisisbossi
