The Indiana State Fire Marshal is reminding Hoosiers that it’s not only crucial to have a working smoke alarm in your home, but it is also the law.

Indiana had 47 fatalities in 2011 and 2012, due to either non-working smoke alarms or having no smoke alarms at all. This year Indiana has had 22 fatalities.

 “Smoke alarms save lives, and a working smoke alarm is the best insurance against becoming a casualty in a house fire,” said Indiana State Fire Marshal James Greeson.  “Firefighters too often find that in fatal fires, a home had smoke alarms but their batteries had been removed.”

Most home-fire casualties occur at night when people are sleeping.  The smoke and toxic gases generated by a fire can cause residents to sleep more deeply, making the chances of survival slimmer.

By Indiana law, all dwellings must have at least one functioning smoke alarm installed outside each sleeping area, and on each level of the building. The smoke alarms must be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.