How do I test my smoke alarms?

Test your alarm by pushing and holding the test button. You should hear a very loud beep. If your alarm doesn't make a sound, try replacing the batteries. 

If your smoke alarm is more than 10 years old, replace the entire unit.

Test your smoke alarm batteries once a month.

Why should my home have smoke alarms? 

Smoke alarms are important because during a fire, you may have less than three minutes to escape. They alert you of the danger and give your family time to get out. You are four times more likely to survive a home fire if you have a working smoke alarm. 

Where should I install smoke alarms?

For increased protection, have working smoke alarms on each level of your home, inside each bedroom or sleeping area, and in the hallway outside each bedroom/sleeping area.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and mounting height.

How do I keep my smoke alarms working?

Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for the type of battery to use in your smoke alarms. 

Smoke alarms with a nonreplaceable (long-life) battery are designed to be effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, immediately replace the entire alarm. 

For smoke alarms with any other type of battery (9 volt, AA, etc.), replace the battery at least once a year. If the alarm chirps, replace only the battery. 

Replace all smoke alarms that are 10 or more years old. 

Information for Renters

Are smoke alarms required in rental dwelling units?

Yes. The owner of any rental dwelling unit or the owner’s authorized agent shall be responsible for supplying, installing, and maintaining the required smoke alarms or smoke detectors and shall provide a written notice containing instructions for testing of the devices. The notice shall be given to the tenant at the time the tenant first takes possession of the premises. (ORS 479.270)

If a smoke alarm is battery-operated or has a battery-operated backup system, the landlord shall supply working batteries for the alarm at the beginning of a new tenancy.

What are my obligations as a tenant?

It shall be the responsibility of the tenant of any rental dwelling unit to perform such tests on the smoke alarms or smoke detectors (located in a part of the dwelling unit that the tenant is entitled to occupy to the exclusion of others) as are recommended by the manufacturer’s instructions and immediately notify, in writing, the owner or authorized agent of any deficiencies. Testing intervals shall not exceed six months. It shall also be the responsibility of the tenant during the tenancy to replace any dead batteries, as needed.

A tenant must test, at least once every six months, and replace batteries as needed in any smoke alarm provided by the landlord and notify the landlord in writing of any operating deficiencies. (ORS 479.275)

A tenant may not remove or tamper with a smoke alarm. Tampering includes removal of working batteries. (ORS 479.300)

Deaf or Hard of Hearing Smoke Alarms

What if someone cannot or does not hear the smoke alarms?

There are multi-sensory alarm options for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

Children may sleep through the sound of an alarm, and may need assistance to wake up and get out. Fire safety is an adult responsibility. Recordable or “talking” smoke alarms, as well as low-frequency alarms, are available.

What if I have a nuisance alarm with my smoke alarm?

Many smoke alarms come with a hush feature, a button on the alarm you push to silence nuisance alarms for up to 15 minutes. Press the hush button and clear the room of smoke.

If an alarm repeatedly sounds with regular cooking, you may want to move the alarm further from the kitchen.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that's harmful or fatal after prolonged or high-level exposures. CO is present in nearly every home and building. If you're exposed to high levels over time or extreme levels for a short while, you may be in danger.

CO sources

• Heaters, fireplaces, furnaces, appliances, and cooking sources using coal, wood, petroleum products, and other fuels
• Products and equipment powered by an internal combustion engine
  (portable generators, cars, lawn mowers, and power washers)
• Car exhaust in an attached garage may leak carbon monoxide into the house, even with the garage door open
• Operating equipment inside an attached garage

Why is CO harmful?

It displaces oxygen in the blood and deprives the heart, brain, and other vital organs of oxygen. The molecules attach to your red blood cells more easily than oxygen molecules, depriving oxygen from getting into the body. This may damage tissues and result in death.

Especially at risk are:

• Unborn babies
• Infants
• Older adults
• People who smoke
• People with chronic heart disease, anemia, or respiratory problems

CO poisoning symptoms

Initial symptoms are similar to the flu, but without the fever, including:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Bright red skin
• Mental confusion, vomiting, loss of muscular coordination, or loss of consciousness

What is a CO alarm?

• Produces a distinctive audible alert when carbon monoxide is detected
• May be a stand-alone unit or combined with a smoke alarm
• May be hardwired, battery operated, plug-in, or a combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarm

Where to install a CO alarm

Install carbon monoxide alarms on each level of your home with bedrooms (sleeping areas). An alarm must be located within each bedroom or within 15 feet outside of each bedroom door. Bedrooms on separate floors in a structure containing two or more stories need separate alarms. Install according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Laws in the State of Oregon

Oregon law requires carbon monoxide alarms to be installed following specific House Bill 3450 implementation dates:

• JULY 1, 2010

Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Administrative Rules become effective.

For all new rental agreements, landlords must provide properly functioning carbon monoxide alarms for rental dwelling units with, or within a structure containing, a carbon monoxide source.

• APRIL 1, 2011 

Landlords must provide properly functioning carbon monoxide alarms for all rental dwelling units with or within a structure containing a carbon monoxide source.

Home sellers of one-and two family dwellings, manufactured dwellings, or multifamily housing units containing a carbon monoxide source must have one or more properly functioning carbon monoxide alarms before conveying fee title or transferring possession of a dwelling.

Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) adopts rules such that carbon monoxide alarms are required for new residential structures submitted for plan review as of April 1, 2011. Carbon monoxide alarms are required in residential structures that undergo reconstruction, alteration or repair for which a building permit is required. Affected “residential structures” are those identified in Section 310 of the Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC) as a residential Group R occupancy. Examples of these uses may be characterized as; hotels, motels, apartments, dormitories, fraternities, sororities, one- and two-family dwellings, townhouses and residential care/assisted living facilities. In addition, SR-3 and SR-4 occupancies as defined in OSSC Appendix SR are included as they are principally built to ‘residential’ standards.

Where should CO alarms NOT be installed?

• Garages and kitchens
• Extremely dusty, dirty or humid areas
• In direct sunlight or areas prone to temperature extremes (unconditioned crawl spaces or attics)
• In electrical outlets covered by curtains or other obstructions
• Near ceiling fans, heat vents, air conditioners, fresh air returns, or open windows (blowing air may prevent carbon monoxide from reaching the sensors)

Replacing your CO alarm

• Most carbon monoxide alarms have a 5 to 7 year limited warranty, depending on the manufacturer
• Most will chirp when they are expired

CO alarm maintenance

• Test alarms monthly
• Use canned air or vacuum alarms regularly to remove dust and cobwebs
• Never disconnect or remove alarm batteries for other use
• For battery-operated alarms, replace the battery at least once a year (combination carbon monoxide/smoke alarms are NOT required to have a 10-year battery (OAR 837-047-0150))

What should I do when the CO alarm sounds?

• Don’t ignore the alarm!
• Move everyone outside to fresh air and call for help from a fresh air location
  • If anyone is experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, call 9-1-1
  • If no one has symptoms, ventilate the building and contact a qualified service technician   

CO Information for Realtors, Home Sellers, and Home Buyers

Are CO alarms required when selling a home?

If you have a CO source, CO alarms are required to sell a home. Sellers of one- and two-family dwellings, manufactured dwellings, or multifamily housing containing a carbon monoxide source must have one or more properly functioning carbon monoxide alarms before conveying fee title or transferring possession of a dwelling. (OAR 837-047-0120)

Homes built during or after 2011 require a carbon monoxide alarm regardless of a carbon monoxide source.    

CO Information for Property Management, Landlords, and Tenants

Are CO alarms required in rental dwelling units?

If you have a carbon monoxide source, carbon monoxide alarms are required in rental dwelling units. Effective April 1, 2011, landlords must provide properly functioning carbon monoxide alarms for all rental dwelling units with or within a structure containing a carbon monoxide source. The landlord shall provide a new tenant with alarm testing instructions. If a carbon monoxide alarm is battery-operated or has a battery-operated backup system, the landlord shall supply working batteries for the alarm at the beginning of a new tenancy.    

What are my obligations as a tenant?
Test the carbon monoxide alarm at least once every six months and replace batteries as needed in any carbon monoxide alarm provided by the landlord and notify the landlord, in writing, of any operating deficiencies. A tenant may not remove or tamper with a carbon monoxide alarm.

Additional Resources

• Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) Chapter 476.725
• Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) Chapter 837, Division 47 
• Oregon Residential Specialty Code, Section R315
• Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal
• NFPA 720: Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique used in many emergencies, such as a heart attack or near drowning, in which someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped.

 Here are resources to take a class in Hillsboro:

• American Red Cross
• Cascade Training Center

Fire Extinguishers 

• Consider having a fire extinguisher in your home rated "A-B-C" for home use. 
• Store extinguishers on a wall near an exit away from heat sources.
• Know how to use the fire extinguisher in case of an emergency.
• If you attempt to extinguish a fire, always call 911 so firefighters can ensure the fire is extinguished and will not reignite. 
• Never re-enter a burning home or building!
• Make sure your fire extinguisher is properly charged. If you use it, replace or recharge it.

Before you use a fire extinguisher, ensure:

• Everyone is out of the home/building
• You've called 911
• The fire is small and not rapidly spreading
• Your back is near the exit and you can get out quickly

If in doubt, do not attempt to use a fire extinguisher and exit immediately. 

How to use a fire extinguisher

Every year, about 13,000 people are treated for injuries from mishandling fireworks.

Practice the Four Bes:

Be Prepared:

• Store fireworks out of children’s reach.
• Read and follow label directions.
• Keep pets indoors.
• Have water nearby such as a garden hose or bucket of water.

Be Responsible:

• Soak used fireworks thoroughly in a bucket of water.
• Dispose of used fireworks and debris properly.
• Never re-light “dud” fireworks. Wait 15-20 minutes, then soak in a bucket of water.

Be Safe:

• An adult should always light fireworks.
• Keep matches and lighters away from children.
• Use fireworks outdoors only.
• Light only one firework at a time and move away quickly.
• Keep children and pets away from fireworks.
• Never throw fireworks or hold them in your hand.

Be Aware:

• Use only legal fireworks.
• Use fireworks only in legal places.
• Fireworks are prohibited on all beaches, state parks, and state or federal forest lands.

Legal and Illegal Fireworks in Oregon

Hillsboro Fire & Rescue and Police partner on the 4th of July holiday to educate, confiscate illegal fireworks, and issue citations with fines up to $500 where appropriate. 

Resources
Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal
Consumer Product Safety Commission Fireworks Information Center

Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and resulting injury.

The most common cause is unattended cooking. Cooking fires are preventable and start within the first 15 minutes of cooking; there is no safe period of time to leave cooking food unattended.

Stand by your pan

• Stay in the kitchen when cooking food on the stove top, and keep items that can burn away from the stove
• If a fire starts in a pan, slide a lid (or cookie sheet) over it to smother the fire
• When cooking, don’t wear loose long sleeves that can catch fire, or catch on pan handles
• Keep a 3-foot child- and pet-free zone around your cooking area
• If you can’t put the fire out, get everyone out of the home and call 911
• If you can, close doors behind you when escaping; it will help contain the fire

We are the lead agency for Safe Kids Washington County. SKWC's mission is to prevent childhood injury.

Car seat checks and questions: email safety@ohsu.edu or call 503-418-5666

Bike helmet checks and questions: email info@washcobikes.org or call 503-844-9740

Our partners include:

• Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue
• Gaston Fire
• Cornelius Fire
• Washington County Sheriff's Office
• Beaverton Police
• Hillsboro Police
• Tigard Police
• Hillsboro Medical Center
• OHSU
• Joint Water Commission
• WashCo Bikes
• Metro West Ambulance
• Hillsboro School District
• Beaverton School District