Fire Deaths in Ohio Reached 25-Year Low in 2011

The number of fire-related deaths in Ohio dropped almost 18 percent last year to a 25-year low of 126 fatalities.

State Fire Marshal Larry Flowers on Monday said more than 90 percent of the fire-related deaths occurred in homes with no confirmed working smoke alarms. Still, Flowers attributed the drop last year to an increased awareness in the need for working smoke alarms, the efforts of first responders and effective fire safety programs.

The state’s previous low of 130 fire-related fatalities occurred in 2007. There were 153 fire-related deaths in 2010.

Ohio’s fire marshal recommends working smoke alarms on every level of each home and inside each sleeping area. He says the smoke alarms should be tested monthly and alkaline batteries should be replaced twice a year.