Some alarming statistics: According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more than 369,500 home fires occurred in the U.S.A. in 1998 (the latest year for which national figures are available). That equates to one residential fire every 83 seconds. Moreover, the NFPA reports that, sadly, more than 20,000 Americans were killed or injured in home fires in 1998. Of the 20,000, 3,220 died. Nationwide, someone dies in a fire every 130 minutes.

More unpleasant statistics: Children age five or younger are more than twice as likely to die in home fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). Furthermore, 60 percent of all children who die in home fires are younger than five, according to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign.

Here's the worst statistic of all: A working smoke alarm was not present in two-thirds of residential fires in which a child was injured or killed, according to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. What makes this statistic particularly frustrating is that the chances of dying in a home fire can be cut nearly in half when, states the NFPA, there is a working smoke alarm in the home. The operative word in the previous sentence is "working." A poorly maintained smoke alarm is like playing Russian roulette with your family's lives. It is worse than having no smoke alarm at all as it can provide a false sense of security.

If you don't have smoke detectors, install them. A smoke detector should be installed in each bedroom and on every level of the home. If you do have smoke detectors, make sure that they are in good working order. Batteries in battery-operated models should be changed at least twice annually. We suggest that you change batteries when you change your clocks for daylight savings time.

When smoke detector shopping, keep in mind that there are two basic types - photoelectric and ionization. A photoelectric smoke alarm generally is more effective at detecting slow-smoldering fires - a fire that might smolder for hours before bursting into flames. Ionization smoke alarms, on the other hand, are more effective at detecting fast-flaming fires - fires that consume materials rapidly and spread quickly.

Given the numerous potential combinations of ignition sources and combustibles, it is next to impossible to develop steadfast rules for which type of alarm - ionization or photoelectric - is best suited to protect any given environment. To help keep your family safe from the various fire dangers, the NFPA suggests installing a combination of both of these state-of-the-art sensing technologies on each level of your home. This double protection can provide early warning of all types of fires and offers the greatest degree of security. To minimize consumer confusion and limit mass duplication of detection devices throughout the home, at least one major manufacturer of smoke alarms has created a single alarm that contains both photoelectric and ionization sensors.

With smoke detectors, cleanliness is important. A dust or lint-laden smoke detector can't do its job properly. It should be vacuumed with an upholstery attachment periodically to remove dust buildup. Keep in mind that a smoke detector is particle-sensitive. Therefore, even if it tests as operational, a dusty smoke detector might not operate correctly. Disconnecting a smoke detector because it is an annoyance is really asking for trouble - leaving you and your family without warning of a fire when you most need it.

When it comes to maintaining your smoke detectors, it doesn't stop with cleaning and battery-changing. Every smoke detector should be tested at least once a month. Every smoke detector is equipped with a "test" button which, when pressed and held down for a few moments, will activate the alarm. Many people fail to do this because they consider it an inconvenience to pull out a ladder. In most homes, a broomstick is all you need to test a smoke alarm. Use it to depress the button.

If your smoke detectors are over 10 years old, consider replacing them. The NFPA recommends that residential smoke alarms be replaced after 10 years due to an accumulation of significant levels of dust, dirt and debris. A smoke alarm works 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That's more than 87,000 hours over a 10-year period. It makes sense to be safe and replace your smoke alarm just as you would any other household appliance that has reached the end of its useful life.