A fatal fire on Santa Clara's Douglane Avenue in April 2001 was a tragic reminder that everyone must stay vigilant in protecting themselves and their families from fire.

Every home must be equipped with properly installed and working smoke detectors. The law requires that each home be equipped with at least one working smoke detector outside each sleeping room and on each level of living space. It is recommended, however, that a smoke detector be installed inside and outside of each sleeping room.

Smoke detectors nearly double the chances of surviving a fire and over the years, smoke detectors have saved thousands of lives. They provide early warning and wake you so that you can safely escape a fire. Smoke detectors must be tested at least once a month. If standard 9-volt batteries power the detectors, then batteries should be replaced annually. Without proper maintenance and testing, you can never be certain that your smoke detectors are protecting you

But does your family know what to do if your smoke detector sounds in the middle of the night? Seconds count in a fire. It is important for every family to develop and practice a home fire escape plan that includes two ways out of each sleeping room and a safe place outside where everyone can meet once they escape. Every person needs to know how to crawl low in smoke and how to use the second way out. Advance planning is needed to aid those members of your household that may not be able to escape on their own.

Take the time to prepare your family for a fire so that everyone knows what to do. As we all too sadly learned in April, it may be a matter of life and death. For further information regarding fire and life safety, call the Santa Clara Fire Department's Fire Marshal's Office at (408) 615-4970.