Eight Iowans have died in fires in the last nine days. Assistant State FireMarshal Jim Kenkel says the one link to their deaths appears to be a lack ofwarning.He says in each case, smoke detectors weren’t installed in the residences orthey didn’t have good batteries in the smoke detectors. Kenkel says he’sstill waiting on confirmation from one fire, but it appears they were allaccidentally started. He says that highlights the importance of havingworking smoke detectors.The death of a Davenport man Tuesday brought the state total for fire deathsto 60 for the year — the same number of fire deaths as last year. Kenkelsays there are more fire dangers this time of year as people try to staywarm with different heating sources. Kenkel says you should also have a planned escape route out of your house incase of fire. And he says you should practice that escape with your entirefamily.
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