Fire Safety Meeting Held

Laurel Park hosted a Jan. 22 meeting on fire safety for the benefit of backstretch workers who reside in dormitories in the barn area. The presentation was hosted by Anne Arundel County fire officials.

Among the takeaways for backstretch residents was to not overload electrical outlets on power strips; not plug extension cords into power strips; not plug portable headers into power strips; and not block doors and windows. In addition, larger refrigerators can draw too much electricity and trigger a fire.

Officials said extension cords need a ground wire for safety purposes, and surge protectors should be used. New power strips were distributed to attendees, and those who have not received one can request one from the Maryland Jockey Club Security Office on the backstretch.

The meeting also featured a demonstration on how to use the fire extinguishers located in each room, and backstretch workers had a chance to use extinguishers using a fire simulator.

A fire safety meeting will be scheduled for Pimlico in the near future.

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