According to the United States Fire Administration, more than 600,000 residential fires occur annually, resulting in $5 billion in property damage. In addition, an estimated 1,000 children age 14 and under die and another 11,400 are injured in residential fires each year. More than 60 percent of these children are age 4 and under.

Most people vastly underestimate the importance of having working smoke detectors in their homes. The reality is that smoke detectors can often mean the difference between life and death. Your chances of dying in a fire are cut in half by the presence of a working smoke detector.

To assure proper placement and maintenance, the Kosair Children's Hospital Office of Child Advocacy recommends following these guidelines:

• Place a smoke detector in/near each bedroom or sleeping area. People sleeping have the greatest risk of dying in fires. Toxic gases and smoke lull them into a deeper sleep, eventually killing them.
• Place a smoke detector on each level of the home. If you live in a multi-level home, one on every level can provide up to three minutes to escape.
• Position smoke detectors on ceilings or high walls. Smoke rises, so detectors should be placed high and close to the middle of the room.
• Do not place the smoke detector on a wall that faces the outside if you live in a poorly-insulated or mobile home. The temperature of the wall may vary and cause the detector to malfunction.
• Position the detector away from cooking or furnace fumes, fireplace smoke and dust to reduce unwanted alarms. The best location is three feet away from an air vent or air conditioning unit since they can inhibit the detector's ability to sense smoke.
• Test detectors once a month. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for testing and maintenance.
• Clean the detector regularly. Dirt can "confuse" the detector and lead to false alarms or impair its ability to detect smoke.
• Replace the batteries in your detector at least once a year. The best way to remember to change the batteries in your smoke detector is to change them when you change your clocks to Daylight Savings Time.

In An Emergency

If you believe your child needs emergency care, contact your child's doctor. If you're unable to reach your physician - or in the event of a serious emergency - bring your child straight to the emergency department at Kosair Children's Hospital, any hour of the day or night. Kosair Children's has the staff, the facilities, the equipment, and the technology to handle any pediatric emergency, from the smallest cut to the most serious injury.

Why Kosair Children's Hospital Cares

Kosair Children's Hospital is Kentucky's only free-standing, full-service hospital dedicated exclusively to caring for children, adolescents and young adults. We have a strong commitment to the health and safety of all children. For more information on fire and burn prevention or to inquire about free fact sheets on a variety of health and safety subjects, call (502) 629-KIDS or 1-800-852-1770.