There were fewer fire deaths in Maryland in the first half of 2012 than there were in the first half of last year, officials said.
Twenty-two people died in fires from January to June of 2012, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s office, while 28 people died in the same time period the prior year.
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“Maryland’s fire service is cautiously optimistic with this year’s data, however, everyone must remain vigilant in fire prevention to continue this trend,” State Fire Marshal William Barnard said in a news release. “An estimated 73 percent of all structure fires in Maryland occur in what most assume to be the safest place, our homes.”
In the first half of 2012, 16 people died in 13 residential structure fires. Officials have determined that four of those deaths took place in three fires where there weren’t any smoke alarms, and three of the deaths occurred in two fires where the smoke alarms didn’t operate.
Barnard recommended that people have working smoke alarms on every level of their homes and in each sleeping area. The alarms should be tested monthly, and their batteries should be replaced at least once a year.
