Maryland State Fire Marshal

News Release
Martin OMalley Governor William E. Barnard State Fire Marshal

MARYLAND FIRE DEATHS TRACKING LOWER

STATE FIRE MARSHAL PROMOTES SMOKE ALARMS, HOME ESCAPE PLANS AND RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLERS PIKESVILLE, MD (August 6, 2012) State Fire Marshal William E. Barnard reports a decrease in the number of fire deaths from January through June in 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. Twenty-two Marylanders have lost their lives to fire compared to twenty-eight last year during the same period of time. This represents a 21% decrease in fire fatalities. Marylands fire service is cautiously optimistic with this years data, however, everyone must remain vigilant in fire prevention to continue this trend, stated State Fire Marshal Barnard. An estimated 73% of all structure fires in Maryland occur in what most assume to be the safest place, our homes. Fires attributed to combustibles too close to a heat source resulted in more fire related deaths than other known causes of fire during this period. At present, six people have died in combustibles too close related fires. This is followed by vehicle crash fires with the deaths of three people. Two people, including a two-year old female, perished in two kitchen fires during the same time period. This year, nine adults and a three-year old girl died between the hours of 12 p.m. and 8 p.m., which accounts for an estimated 46% of fire deaths during the first six months of this year. Six fires claimed the lives of seven people between the hours of 10 p.m. - 6 a.m. during the same time period. Sixteen people died in thirteen residential structure fires during the first six months of 2012. Smoke alarms were known to have been functioning properly in five residential structure fires where five victims perished. Four deaths occurred in three fires where smoke alarms were present but their operation was undetermined. Three victims died in fires where smoke alarms were present but did not operate and two deaths occurred where no smoke alarms were present.
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To help survive a home fire, the State Fire Marshal recommends the following:

Working smoke alarms should be located on every level of the home and in each sleeping area. Test smoke alarms monthly and replace the batteries at least once a year. Develop a home escape plan with a safe meeting place outside and practice the plan with all family members at least twice a year. According to the U. S. Fire Administration, smoke alarms combined with a residential fire sprinkler system increase surviving a fire by over 80%. If having a new home built, request fire sprinkler installation as a necessary protection for the protection of your entire family from the effects of fire.

Local initiatives for residential fire sprinklers across Maryland have been bolstered by the signing of House Bill 366 and Senate Bill 602, by the Honorable Governor Martin OMalley on May 2, 2012. These bills will mandate the installation of residential fire sprinklers in every newly constructed single-family home in Maryland. Currently 14 Maryland counties, Baltimore City and numerous municipalities have adopted these requirements. Additionally, all townhomes built in Maryland since 1992 require residential fire sprinklers and to date, no fire fatalities have occurred in any of these protected homes. Marylands fire service along with many partners in the public and private sectors have focused on proven fire and life safety strategies such as: working smoke alarms, home fire escape plans and residential fire sprinklers. Community outreach programs that emphasize personal responsibility for surviving a home fire are showing positive results, stated the State Fire Marshal. I applaud the efforts of all who take on the role of informing Marylanders of the value of fire and injury prevention.
Home Fire Safety Resources Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition: www.homefiresprinkler.org Home Safety Council: www.homesafetycouncil.org National Fire Protection Association: www.nfpa.org Residential Fire Safety Institute: www.firesafehome.org Underwriters Laboratories Inc.: www.ul.com/consumers/ U.S. Fire Administration: www.usfa.dhs.gov Office of the State Fire Marshal: www.mdsp.org/firemarshal

### Media contact: Bruce D. Bouch, Deputy State Fire Marshal; 443-324-6876
The Office of the State Fire Marshal is an agency of the Department of State Police dedicated to helping protect citizens from fire and explosion through a comprehensive program of education, inspection, investigation and fire protection engineering. For more information on fire safety call 1-800-525-3124, log onto our website at: www.mdsp.org/firemarshal and/or http://facebook.com/MarylandStateFireMarshal.

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