Baltimore Death by Fire Kills Five – No Fire Smoke Detectors
On October 11, 2012, a grandmother and her four grandchildren died in a fire in Baltimore. The family, who lived at 5601 Denwood Avenue, perished in a tragic fire that quickly consumed their house, according to The Baltimore Sun. A preliminary investigation by the Baltimore Fire Department indicated that there were no working smoke detectors. The fire apparently started in the basement and quickly spread. All five victims were found on the second floor in a rear bedroom.
A Fire Smoke Detector can Prevent Death by Fire
Smoke detectors are an easy and inexpensive, and often free, way to prevent fire deaths from lack of smoke detectors. According to the Baltimore City Health Department, fire deaths and burns are a major cause of unintentional deaths in Baltimore. Death by fire in Baltimore is three times the rate as the U. S. average. Death by fire is preventable. Having a working smoke detector on every floor of your home can double your chance of surviving a fire.
How to Avoid Death by Fire with Smoke Detectors
The Baltimore Health Department recommends some simple rules that can help avoid death by fire:
- Make sure you have working smoke detectors on every floor of your home
- The Baltimore Fire Department will not only provide a free smoke detector, they will install it for you. Call the Baltimore Fire Department’s Smoke Detector Hotline at (410) 441-5054 to request free smoke alarms for your home.
- Test your smoke alarms once a month
- Make sure you change the batteries twice year during Day Lights Savings
- Create and practice a fire escape plan with your family
- Only smoke outdoors and always extinguish smoking materials in large deep ashtrays that are on a sturdy surface (like a table)
- Keep matches, lighters and ashtrays out of the reach of children
- Never leave a stove unattended while cooking. Keep potholders, curtains, etc. at least 3 feet away from burners
- Use space heaters in well-ventilated areas and at least 3 feet away from anything that could burn
- Use flameless candles or make sure an adult is present at all times around lit candles
- Remember to double check that you’ve turned off all stove burners, ovens, space heaters and candles when you leave a room or go to bed
- If the smoke alarm sounds, GET OUT AND STAY OUT
The Law Requires Landlords to Install Smoke Detectors
Both Maryland state law, and the Baltimore City Code, requires landlords to install and maintain smoke detectors in rented property. The law requires this for the health and safety of tenants. Know your rights! If you are renting, and there aren’t smoke detectors in your property, demand that your landlord install them immediately!
Top-Rated Maryland Personal Injury Lawyer
If your loved one has died in a fire that could have been prevented with a fire smoke detector, you may have a claim for the funeral expenses; medical bills; lost income; and the grief from losing the person you loved.
Jonathan Scott Smith is a top-rated wrongful death lawyer, with over 30 years of courtroom experience. As you can see by his background, Mr. Smith is an experienced, respected, and credentialed trial attorney. He has successfully handled wrongful death cases, including death by fire that could have been prevented by a fire smoke detector, for over three decades. He fights hard for his clients. That’s why many satisfied clients think so highly of him.
Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results in wrongful death and other cases — has earned him the recognition of his peers, with an AV® Preeminent™* Peer Review Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating process, and a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating. These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, a lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition.
Contact Us Now
If a fire has caused injuries to, or the death of, a family member, you need an experienced personal injury attorney and wrongful death lawyer. Jonathan Scott Smith will help guide you through this tragedy, and help you obtain justice and closure. Call (410) 441-5054now, or contact us online, to schedule a consultation.