Last year, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) launched the "Install. Inspect. Protect" campaign, which helps firefighters and prevention personnel emphasize to residents the importance of having a working smoke detector in their homes.

This week, the USFA noted that since the campaign launched in October, there have been at least 20 fatal home fires where smoke detectors weren't present or weren't working. Clearly, there's more work to be done.

The USFA is encouraging firefighters to renew their efforts to get the word out about the importance of smoke detectors. Sometimes the best way to do this is to partner with other organizations. Where I live, in San Diego, for example, the Burn Institute joined the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department when it distributed smoke alarms/batteries for Daylight Savings Time. The event drew media coverage and proved a successful way to get the word out.

The USFA provides a whole host of materials on its Web site to make it easy to start a smoke detector campaign, including:

-Fire Safety Tips for Your Home
-State-by-State Residential Smoke Alarm Requirements
-Posters – “My Mom” and “My Dad”
-Community Presentation Powerpoint
-“Name Your Smoke Alarm” Coloring Sheet and Smoke Alarm Activity Sheet
-Campaign Talking Points
-Sample News Release
-Web-quality Educational Video
-Public Service Announcements

Smoke detector campaigns aren't exactly exciting, but they're vital in reducing fire fatalities in the home. If your department already did its annual campaign, consider ways you can continue to get the word out--it's especially important as the winter drags on and people are heating their homes any way they can.

If you need guidance or more fire safety resources please contact Christy Bennett at 202-842-3600 x242 or via e-mail at cbennett@hagersharp.com.