MD Fire-Related Deaths Decline From Previous Years: Officials

MARYLAND — The state of Maryland saw a 22 percent decline in fire-related deaths for 2020 compared to 65 deaths reported in 2019. According to the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal, 51 residents died from injures sustained in fires. Thirty-three of the confirmed fire deaths in 2020 occurred in residential properties, which is an almost 37 percent decrease from the 52 fire deaths in these properties in 2019.

According to the state fire marshal's office, for several years now, the annual average number of fire deaths in Maryland has continued on a downward trend. The annual average number of fire deaths recorded during the past 25 years was 71, 20 years was 70, the 10-year average was 64 and during the past five years, the annual average has fallen to 65. The highest number of fire deaths recorded in a single year in the past 35 years was experienced in 1988 when 129 victims succumbed to the effects of fire. Unfortunately, Maryland already has experienced four confirmed fire deaths in the first few days of 2021.

One of the significant factors in reducing the number of fire deaths in Maryland was a 2013 law that required replacing any battery-only operated smoke alarm 10 years old or older with a unit powered by a 10-year sealed-in battery.

"The importance of ensuring the proper maintenance and use of smoke alarms is paramount. The materials used in products we keep in our homes tend to burn much more readily, thus giving us a very limited window of time to escape the effects of fire. These early warning devices can be the difference between life or death in an incident of an uncontrolled fire inside our homes," Maryland State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci said in a news release.

Additionally, the law requiring fire sprinklers in newly constructed one- and two-family homes across Maryland passed in 2012 took effect Oct. 1, 2020. Maryland is currently one of only two states in the United States that require residential fire sprinklers in new homes.

Working smoke alarms should be located on every level of the home, in each sleeping area and outside each sleeping room, the State Fire Marshal's Office noted. Residents also should:

• Test smoke alarms monthly.
• Develop a home escape plan with a safe meeting place outside and practice the plan with all family members at least twice a year.
• Close bedroom doors at night.
• Once out of your home and at your meeting place do not go back into a burning home.
• Call 911 immediately.