Officials Say Smoke Alarms Saved Record Lives

Fireman Wayne Wiest of Calmar Fire Department explains the importance of using a smoke alarm and to have parents continue to check the batteries on the smoke alarm. Wayne also mentioned it is better to sleep with the door closed in case of a fire and if a fireman comes to save them from a fire the children should not run and hide. They are there to save and protect them. Calmar Firemen visited area schools to educate the students in fire safety. Students at C.F.S.(Calmar-Festina-Spillville) School were broken up in small groups as different firemen showed the children the Rescue truck and one of the fire trucks.on Thursday, October 11, 2007.

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By Ellen Kurt

Story Created: Jan 4, 2013 at 12:28 AM CDT

Story Updated: Jan 4, 2013 at 12:28 AM CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials say smoke alarms alerted a record number of people in the state about a fire emergency last year.

The Iowa State Fire Marshal says in a release Thursday that more than 215 people were saved because of working smoke alarm systems in their homes. That's a jump from about 185 in 2011, and about 145 in 2010.

Most people saved by smoke alarms were asleep during the night. Officials say advance warning also reduces property damage. The state estimates $20 million in property damage for fires with working smoking alarms. Property damage climbs to $46 million for fires with no smoke alarm.

Officials say 42 people were killed in fires in the state last year.

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