The King County Fire Chiefs Association, along with East Pierce Fire, Maple Valley Fire and Puget Sound Fire would like to notify their communities that there are private companies traveling door-to-door offering home safety inspections and claiming that they work with or for the local fire department, according to a press release from Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety.

This misrepresentation concerns the departments and is absolutely false, according to the press release.

These for-profit companies are not part of the fire departments and are not working on their behalf. The local fire departments in your area do not solicit door-to-door.

If someone from the fire department comes to your door in a non-emergency situation, they will be in uniform with a badge and name tag. Fire department personnel will also have department issued identification, which the departments encourage you to ask to see, the release said.

According to the release, you should research any solicitors before allowing them into your home or signing any contract for services.

Your safety and trust are the department’s highest priorities.