Community Programs

Classes

The La Porte Fire Marshal's Office provides public education classes on fire safety in the home and the workplace. Please contact our office at 281-867-4603 at least 2 weeks prior to the date desired and be prepared to provide the location, number of people, number of classes and type of class needed.

Free Smoke Detector Program

The La Porte Fire Marshal’s Office has a Free Smoke Detector Program which provides free Smoke Detectors to Senior Citizens and low-income residents of the City of La Porte.

Note: Smoke detectors are available to residents who reside in single-family homes. Landlords / Managers / Renters are responsible for the installation of smoke detectors in any multifamily dwelling, dormitories, or rental and or boarding properties.

Contact

If you qualify, you may contact the La Porte Fire Marshal’s Office at 281-867-4603 to sign up for a free smoke detector. The Fire Marshals Office will coordinate the installation of the smoke detectors in the home.

Tips

Install Smoke Detectors In Your Home

In a fire, you may only have seconds to make your escape. A smoke detector will give you an early warning, or even wake you up so you can get out quickly.

  • Smoke detectors should be installed on every level of your home, in all bedrooms, and in the area outside of the bedrooms.
  • Smoke detectors must be tested frequently (at least once a month). You should use the smoke detectors to practice fire drills by simply pressing the test button.
  • “Change your clocks, change your batteries!” Change your smoke detector batteries in the spring when you set your clocks forward and in the fall when you set your clocks back. This will help ensure they work when you need them.
  • Keep a whistle in every bedroom to augment the alarm to help everyone in the family wake up.

Develop an Escape Plan

Sit down with your family and discuss the escape plan and their role in developing it.

  • Develop a floor plan of your home.
  • Have 2 escape routes from every room in your home.
  • If collapsible escape ladders are needed, show their location.
  • If security bars are installed, show the location of the quick-release devices.
  • A flashlight should be available in every bedroom. The type that plugs into the power outlet and is constantly charged is recommended.
  • Check windows to make sure they open freely, and screens can be removed easily.
  • Make sure your 2nd exit (a window) is not obstructed by items such as air conditioning units. Don’t board up windows that could be needed as a 2nd means of escape during a fire.
  • Your family should always sleep with the doors closed to keep smoke out of their bedrooms and give them more time.
  • Explain that they must roll out of bed. Get on the floor as soon as they hear the smoke detector, underneath the smoke, heat, and toxic gases. Even If no smoke is visible, deadly heat and toxic gases could be present, so keep low.
  • They must crawl low under the smoke to their nearest exit.
  • When they get to the closed door they should check the door to see if it’s hot. If the door is hot they should use their secondary exit.
  • Show the location of the prearranged meeting place that everyone will meet at once outside.
  • Make sure your escape ladder is assembled, and that you have tested its use prior to needing it because of a fire.
  • Don’t count on being able to help your children escape a fire. You may not be able to reach your children because of the location of the fire, but they must know how to:
    • Release installed security bars
    • Open their window
    • Knock out the window screen
    • Set up the escape ladder
    • Make their escape

Practice Your Escape Plan
Practice your escape plan frequently, at least once a month. Fires can grow quickly; you may only have seconds to exit your home.

  1. Time your drills. See if you improve over past drills.
  2. Drills should be practiced in the dark so that your family is prepared for actual fire conditions.
  3. Practice opening security bars and windows.
  4. Practice setting up and using escape ladders.
  5. Practice crawling low in smoke and checking doors for heat.
  6. You have no time! Do not try to take possessions or look for pets.

Have a Prearranged Meeting Place
Designate a meeting place. It can be the mailbox, the tree in the front yard, or any other place you decide as long as everyone in the family knows in advance where it is. Make sure it’s a safe distance from your home.

A meeting place is needed so that everyone can be accounted for.

Once Out, Stay Out
Never go back in the house for anything or anyone. Once outside, call 911 from a neighbor’s house. Give the operator your address, name, call back number, and let them know if there is anyone still in the house.