Fire Tragedy Kills Ohio Family

A 29-year-old mother and her three children, including a four-year-old cancer survivor, died November 28 when fire swept through their two-story, three-bedroom rental house in Toledo, Ohio. Investigators said the fire resulted from the careless burning of candles and found no evidence of smoke detectors in the home. The Toledo Blade also reported the electricity had been turned off earlier in the day. The children included two girls ages 11 and 7, and the 4-year-old boy. Neighbors and firefighters were unable to enter the burning west side home in time to save the family. A fifth victim, a man who also lived in the home, survived the fire and was taken to a Toledo hospital where he initially was listed in serious condition.

Sadly, more fire tragedies like the one in Toledo will occur during the winter months and forever change the lives of families. Faced with higher heating costs, many families will not be adequately able to heat their homes and apartments. Using various sources of open flames, space heaters, stoves and ovens, and other devices to heat homes, will again lead to fire deaths.

Many fire officials suggest a home safety inspection, particularly for those people relocating to another residence. A neighbor who first reported the fire and attempted to enter the burning home said the fire victims moved into their rented Toledo residence only a few months ago.

The lack of properly functioning and properly placed smoke detectors helps lead to needless fire deaths worldwide. U.S. officials strongly encourage their citizens to ensure each residence has a working smoke detector. For decades, communities have spread the word about fire safety awareness and yet, there always are a number of people who do not heed the warnings.

You can help prevent the loss of lives and devastation to families this winter by ensuring your families and friends have properly working smoke detectors. Help ensure they have adequate and safe heating sources and that if needed, consider providing special assistance so improper heating and light sources are not used.

Most communities have resources and information available regarding heating assistance and fire safety protection programs. For those of you in need of a holiday gift idea -- consider giving your families, friends and perhaps a neighbor or two, a smoke detector and offer to install it for them. It may save lives and and help keep families together.