This is the first in a series of daily FIRE FACTS provided by the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of State Fire Marshal in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week (October 5-12, 1997).

This year's theme is "Know When to Go . . . React Fast to Fire." It focuses on encouraging the public to be prepared to act decisively when a fire occurs. Every household should plan and practice a Home Fire Escape Drill which identifies two escape routes from every room in the event of a fire. One escape route should identify the normal route through hallways and stairways and the alternate route should designate the use of windows or the roof when the normal route is blocked. Each family member should then go to a designated meeting space outside. Do not go back inside for any reason!

In residential fires reported to the Division of State Fire Marshal, nearly 33% of the time a smoke detector was not present in the home. In addition, where a detector was present, 15% of the time it did not operate properly. Smoke detectors, when properly installed and maintained, provide early warning when fire occurs. For the greatest protection, install a smoke detector outside of each bedroom or sleeping area and on every level of your home and have an escape plan ready if the alarm sounds. Test them at least once each month to ensure that the detectors are working properly. Batteries in battery-operated detectors should be changed at least once yearly or whenever a detector "chirps" to signal low battery power. Never "borrow" a smoke detector's battery for another use -- a disabled detector cannot save your life.

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