Newswise — Daylight savings time means we move clocks forward. It is also a great prompt to check the fire safety smoke detectors, says Art Sanford, MD, burn surgeon at Loyola University Medical Center. More than 2,570 deaths, 13,210 injuries, and $7.2 billion in damages were reported by the National Fire Protection Association during a five-year-period of 2007 – 2011. Almost three-quarters (71%) of the home structure fires and 84% of the home fire deaths occurred in one-or two-story homes and the remainder occurred in apartments or other multi-family dwellings. “Half of all home fire deaths happen between 11 pm and 7 am when people are sleeping,” says Sanford. “One-quarter start in the bedroom, another quarter in the family room and 16 percent in the kitchen.”
Arthur Sanford, MD, burn surgeon at Loyola University Medical Center treats hundreds of children and adults yearly due to burn injuries.
Sunday, March 8 daylight savings time begins. "As you spring forward, check your smoke detectors to make sure they are in working order," says Sanford, associate professor, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. "Three out of five home fires occurred because no smoke detector were present or the fire alarm did not operate. Tragically, older adults and younger children are more likely to be killed by a home fire."
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