An Alarming Trend in Fires

Five recent deaths are grim reminders of the value of smoke detectors in saving lives and property. Three boys and their father who tried to save them died after smoke and flames spread through their Placentia home without warning. An elderly woman died in a Santa Ana fire.

Firefighters said that in both instances there had been a smoke detector in place in the home, but it had been removed for replacement or repair--and not put back before the fatal fires. Sadly, that is an all-too-common occurrence. Fire officials say about one-third of all residential smoke detectors in the nation are not in working order.

Smoke detectors have proved their value in alerting residents to smoke and fire danger and gives them more precious time to reach safety. Building ordinances may require them, but it is up to residents to keep them in working order.

Fire safety officials, anxious to make such maintenance a habit, urge residents to check their smoke detectors at least twice a year, when they adjust their clocks for daylight saving time.

There is no way of knowing how many homes in Orange County do not have an operating smoke detector, but one is one too many. There were six deaths in residential fires in Orange County last year. And six the year before. The fatal residential fires in Placentia and Santa Ana are tragic reminders of the life-saving protection smoke detectors could provide--and the wisdom of having and keeping them in working order at home.