This year's theme is "The Great Escape…Having a Home Fire Escape Plan." 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! A quick, decisive response is often what makes the difference between life and death in a fire. Also, no matter where you are, or what type of home you are in, if a fire breaks out, it's too late to start developing a plan.

Twenty six Ohioans died last year in fires caused by smoking. If you have smokers in your home, you need to be particularly careful. Provide smokers with large, deep, sturdy ashtrays and make sure that the ashtrays are emptied frequently. Douse the ashes with water before placing them in the trash. Be sure to check upholstery and cushions for smoldering butts before leaving home or going to sleep. Also, be sure to keep matches and lighters away from children by storing them in high, heard-to-reach places and out of sight.

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Last year, there were 4,000 cooking-related fires in Ohio resulting in a total property loss of $10,917,635. Most kitchen fires occur when cooking is left unattended. Keep a careful eye on food being cooked so you can respond quickly if something goes wrong. It's also important to pay attention to the cooking area and remove hazards, such as pot holders and other combustibles that are placed too close to the burners.

These alternative heating devices caused 1,551 fires last year in Ohio which resulted in $9,329,227 in property damage. These devices require greater attention to safety precautions than central heating systems. Follow all manufacturer's instructions and never use gasoline to start a fire or fuel a kerosene heater. Remember the three-foot rule: measure a safe distance between heating equipment and anything that can burn, including people and pets. Make sure you turn off all heating equipment before leaving home or going to sleep.

In residential fires reported to the Division of State Fire Marshal, a smoke detector was not present 26% of the time. 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.

It's true. The place where many of us feel the safest -- our homes, apartments, mobile homes, and trailers -- is where we are most vulnerable to fire. Last year, 111 Ohioans died in residential fires. You can make your residence safer by installing smoke detectors outside of each bedroom and on every level of your home. These detectors should be replaced once each year and tested each month. Plan and practice a main and alternate escape route in case of fire. Use care in the kitchen and never leave cooking unattended. Be particularly careful in winter by following manufacturers' instructions on fueling and use of portable heaters and wood burning stoves.