Members of the Gamber & Community Fire Co. canvassed a portion of the Gamber community on Saturday, October 18, 2014 doing a smoke alarm inspection. The focus area was Woodridge Lane in Eldersburg. Fire Company members offered free smoke alarm and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm inspection and installation.

On that Saturday, members approached 63 houses on Woodridge Lane off of Irving Ruby Road from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm. Eight fire company members participated under the direction of Bridget Weishaar, EMS Lt. 13-1 and Fire Prevention Chairperson. 29 people were not home and 8 declined our services.

Seven of the houses had current/working smoke alarms. Members installed 27 new smoke alarms and 8 new CO alarms in the remaining homes.

Lt. Weishaar will be following up with two residences that had hardwired smoke alarms.

Fire company members remind residents that any smoke alarm that is 10 years old or older should be discarded and replaced. New, 10-year, sealed battery smoke alarms are now required to be installed. There should be a minimum of one smoke alarm on each level of the house and, if possible, one in each bedroom. At least one CO alarm should be placed outside the sleeping area in homes that have fuel fired heating units, water heaters, dryers, fire places, etc.

Three families contributed donations to the fire company during the smoke alarm canvas.