Smoke Alarms for Everyone Program (SAFE)
In 2004, 87 Marylanders lost their life due to a fire related injury while there were 609 hospitalizations and 7,231 emergency department visits for the same cause. Fire safety remains a necessity in this state and thus the Smoke Alarms for Everyone Program (SAFE) was created.
Thanks to a five-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Center for Health Promotion(CHP) is able to fund needy communities throughout Maryland via a competitive grant process. Eligible communities must have a population under 50,000, a higher than national average proportion of adults over age 65 or children under 5 years, a higher than national average number of families living below the poverty line, and a higher than national or state average of fire-related deaths or injuries.
Funded communities work with their local fire departments going door-to-door educating residents about fire safety, checking smoke alarms, and installing new, 10-year lithium battery powered smoke alarms in project homes. Creative partnerships with local businesses and coalitions help the projects advertise within their communities and identify new project homes.
During the first year of the SAFE Program, 269 homes were enrolled in three different communities, and 464 alarms were installed, which are protecting 774 individuals.
The SAFE Program reminds everyone to:
- Have working smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas;
- Test every alarm monthly; and
- Have and practice a home fire escape plan with all members of your family.
For more information about the SAFE Program, please contact:
Jennifer Clarke
SAFE Project Coordinator
Center for Health Promotion
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
201 West Preston Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-767-8102
410 333 5030 Fax
JClarke@dhmh.state.md.us