MOST HOME FIRE DEATHS HAPPEN IN PROPERTIES WITHOUT WORKING SMOKE ALARMS

Published Dec. 7, 2011
By National Fire Protection Association

NATIONAL -- Roughly two-thirds of home fire deaths in 2005-2009 resulted from fires in properties without working smoke alarms, according to the report "Smoke Alarms in U.S. Home Fires," released by the National Fire Protection Association Oct. 25.

The report examines the number of reported fires in U.S. households with and without working smoke alarms, as well as the effectiveness of smoke alarms in preventing fire-related deaths.

"Working smoke alarms are essential in saving lives from fire," said Lorraine Carli, vice president of communications for NFPA. "We know you can have as little as three minutes to get out if you have a fire before it becomes deadly. The early warning provided by smoke alarms gives you extra time to escape."

For more information on smoke alarms and safety tips, visit the National Fire Protection Association's Web site at www.nfpa.org/smokealarms.