Unfortunately, Detroit has an average of 47 residential fire deaths each year. More importantly, the majority of the victims were children and senior citizens. Many of these fatalities occurred as a direct result of a careless smoker, a careless cook, improper use of auxiliary heating appliances, and a child with a match (inadequate supervision of children). Most of the homes were not equipped with smoke alarms. Smoke alarms are an early warning detection device when there is a fire and can save lives. Every home should have at least one smoke alarm on each floor level, because the sooner the fire is discovered the greater the chances of saving lives and property. You can’t rely on a fire engine to save your life.