FIRE SAFETY Smoke detectors

State Fire Marshal Robert Rielage is asking residents to "Cover Your Bases & amp; Strike Out Fire" during National Fire Prevention Week. Today, he offers tips on smoke detectors.
The numbers: One smoke detector in a home doubles a family's chances of escaping a nighttime fire. Among residential fires reported to the state fire marshal in 2000, a smoke detector was not present in 29 percent of the homes, causing 236 injuries and 47 deaths. In 14 percent of fires, a detector was present but did not function properly, causing 213 injuries and 27 deaths.In Columbiana County, detectors were not present in 25 percent of residential fires, causing seven injuries and one death. Detectors did not function in 9 percent of residential fires.In Mahoning County, detectors were not present in 39 percent of residential fires, causing 10 injuries and three deaths. They did not operate in 16 percent of such fires, causing five injuries and one death.In Trumbull County, no detector was found in 28 percent of residential fires with nine injuries and one death. Detectors did not function properly in 16 percent of such fires, with four injuries and two deaths.
Causes: Failure to install a smoke detector, installing a detector improperly or failing to maintain it.
Prevention: Install a smoke detector outside each bedroom or sleeping area and on each level of the home. Have an escape plan ready. Test detectors at least once monthly and change batteries annually or when a "chirping" sound indicates low battery power. Never disable the detector by "borrowing" its battery for another use.