FIRE SAFETY Home fires

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 escaping home fires.
The numbers: In 2000, 128 Ohio residents and one firefighter died in residential fires; 1,033 residents and 625 firefighters were injured. Property loss was $181 million.
Eighty-five percent of the people who died in Ohio fires were in their own houses, apartments, mobile homes or trailers.
In Columbiana County, residential fires claimed the life of one resident and injured 13 residents and five firefighters. Property damage was $1.2 million.
In Mahoning County, four residents died in home fires, with 32 injured and 48 firefighter injuries. Damage was $4.4 million.
In Trumbull County, five residents died in home fires with 21 injured and 26 firefighter injuries. Property loss was $4.4 million.
Causes: Lack of an escape plan.
Prevention: Plan and practice a home fire escape drill that identifies two escape routes from each room (one should be a normal route through hallways and stairways, the second should designate use of windows or the roof) and establishes an outdoor meeting space. Never for any reason go back into a house where there is a fire.
Source: Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of State Fire Marshal