Elkridge Firefighters Spark Awareness Outside Giant

Half a dozen firefighters and two trucks were stationed in front of the Lyndwood on Monday, but there was no fire.

Crew members said they were working to prevent fires before they start, in observance of National Fire Prevention Week, which is Oct. 9 through Oct. 15.

Across the country, firefighters are educating the public about fire safety, and the group from the  proved that no matter how busy things get, safety always comes first.

"When we first got here, we had to go out on a call," said Lt. Stacy Ruehl, standing behind a table filled with brochures and plastic fire hats. She said the crew was staying for an hour at the entrance to the Elkridge supermarket, even if it meant leaving and coming back.

“Grocery stores are great places to reach out to families, and I appreciate our firefighters taking the extra step to meet citizens at these locations to offer personal life-saving instructions," said County Executive Ken Ulman in a statement.

When people approached, the firefighters engaged them in friendly conversation. "We remind people about smoke detectors and generators," said firefighter Brandon Stilwell.

"October is around the time you change your clocks [for daylight saving]; and when you change your clocks, you should change the battery in your smoke detector," said firefighter Mitchell Frances.

Roughly two-thirds of all home fire deaths are in homes with no smoke alarms or non-functional smoke alarms, according to a statement from Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS).

In addition to , the Elkridge firefighters are heading to local schools for Fire Prevention Week. "We focus on what 911 is, stop drop and roll, and we get dressed out [in our gear] to give them an idea of what we look like," said Ruehl, on the elementary school program.

Officials advise parents to review fire safety at home as well.

“It takes the whole family to participate in fire safety,” said Fire Chief William Goddard in a statement.

HCDFRS offers the following tips for families:

• Map your home, including doors and windows, and discuss where to exit in an emergency. 
• Identify at least two ways out of every room, if possible.
• Ensure doors and windows leading outside open easily and aren't blocked.
• Designate an outside meeting place (e.g., tree, pole, mailbox) where everyone should go if there's an emergency.
• Practice your home fire drill twice a year, at night and during the day.
• Teach children how to call 911 and make sure they know their home address.

If you are in a fire:

• Get low and crawl under the smoke to get out.
• Call 911 immediately.
• Get out and stay out. Under no circumstance should you ever go back into a burning building.