From the Desk of Former Mayor Malinda Miles

It has been two years since I decided to remove myself from the political scene in Mount Rainier, MD, Prince George's County, and the State of Maryland. Holding the lofty position of Mayor was such a great honor, but as the years flew by, I realized that it was time to do something else -- get a life.! I did, and still continue to provide resources to the residents through The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM). Real people pass through The Front Porch Ministries weekly. LIFE is good.

Thursday, July 04, 2013

After the Tragedy (Fire and loss of life) in Mount Rainier

I am reminded that smoke detectors can make a major difference. Our lawmakers have also determined that tougher laws are needed to help keep us safe. On July 1, a new law went into affect, and WE NEED to abide by it. For more information on the new law, please visit this website:
http://www.everyonegoeshome.com/news/2013/smokealarms_051613.html.

According to the report, currently, two-thirds of all home fire deaths occur in residences with no smoke alarm or no working smoke alarm, primarily due to dead or missing batteries, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Smoke alarms with sealed-in 10-year batteries are tamper proof and eliminate the need to replace the battery - something many homeowners fail to do.

Check your fire alarms. Place one on each level of your home. Place one in your bedrooms, halls, and your basement. CHECK THEM OFTEN. Don't unplug them because the kitchen gets to hot and they make all of that noise. GET a fan. Ventilate. Have an evacuation plan. Make sure you have a meeting place outside to count heads, if there is a fire in your home. Do a monthly fire drill if you live with others. Take pictures of your furniture and other valuable; Put your valuable papers in a safe deposit box. Keep copies at home. Practice safety!

We pray that we are never victims of a fire, but we can be as prepared as possible.

Watch for more information on what your City will be doing to help keep residents safe!

As Posted by Jerry Kline/Jason Barnnet

Maryland homeowners face stringent new mandates relating to the smoke detectors in their homes, as a result of new rules set to take effect July 1.

Under legislation (HB 1413 & SB 969) approved by the Maryland General Assembly and expected to be signed by the governor, homeowners must update the smoke detectors in their homes to newer sealed-battery systems if the smoke detectors are battery operated and are over 10 years old or malfunction when tested. Smoke detectors that are hard-wired also must be updated every 10 years or when those systems malfunction.

For homeowners selling their properties, sellers must disclose in writing whether their smoke detectors are more than 10 years old and whether the systems use a 10-year sealed battery. The required notice will be added to the seller “Property Condition Disclosure” Form, one of the documents realtors use to process the home-sale transaction.

The new legislation also requires that at least one smoke detector be located on every floor of a home by 2018.

Requirements for Landlords

Landlords of one- and two-dwelling units also face new requirements. They must upgrade battery smoke detectors to new, 10-year sealed battery units whenever there’s a change in occupancy or when those systems are 10 years old or malfunction.

Landlords for buildings with more than two units also are affected. The legislation assigns tenants of those units responsibility for testing the smoke alarms and notifying their landlords of any problems. Where problems occur, the landlords are required to replace or repair the broken systems.

Mayor Malinda Miles

As a long-time resident of Mount Rainier and a homeowner, it is important to me that municipal government be inclusive of all of its residents. It is equally important that information be communicated through all possible channel so that residents can get involved. It is also important for residents to volunteer and serve on committees, commissions, boards and task forces. I truly believe that municipal government is the government closes to the people, and as such should be easily accessible. This BLOG is another effort to reach out to the residents of Mount Rainier.