The Georgetown City Fire Department and the hotels and motels in the city have joined forces to help increase the safety of guests.

City Fire Chief Joey Tanner kicked off Fire Prevention Week Monday announcing a new program that will ensure that the smoke detectors in the more than 380 hotel rooms are in proper working condition.

The program will require each hotel’s cleaning staff to check smoke detectors in each room after the room is vacated by an occupant and before the next guests arrive.

To let the guests know the smoke detector is working, a placard will be placed in each room that states: “The smoke detector in your room has been tested so you may be assured it is working properly. We are happy to provide this service to you on behalf of our Fire Department as our continued commitment to fire safety.”

The card will be dated by the staff member who tests the device.

Tanner said his is the first department in the state involved in such a program. He said he got the idea a couple of years ago when there was a small fire in a local hotel. He said a couple of the guests told him their detector did not activate.

By Scott Harper

sharper@gtowntimes.com