(Tuesday, August 01, 2006 – Little Rock) From July 3rd through July 25th, the Little Rock Fire Department responded to more than 33 home fires. Fortunately, no one died in these fires. Nationally, nearly 25 children died in home fires during this time, twelve in homes with no working smoke alarm. Fires that kill are a sad reality of each and every day.

According to Assistant Fire Chief Don Kinney, “There is no single more important item in any household than a working smoke alarm. Nearly one third of residential fires and two-fifths of residential fatalities occur in homes with no smoke alarms. Put another way, having a working smoke alarm in the home reduces your chances of dying in a fire by nearly half.”

Residents are encouraged to place a smoke alarm on every level of their home and outside bedrooms. If bedroom doors are kept closed, a smoke alarm should be placed in each bedroom. Residents should check the batteries once a month to make sure the alarm works.

For more information on smoke alarms and fire safety from the U.S. Fire Administration by visiting www.usfa.dhs.gov or call the Little Rock Fire Department at 501 918-3710.


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