Smoking in bed victim saved by smoke detector

County of Los Angeles Fire Department  NEWS RELEASE
FIRE CAPTAIN TOM RICHARDS PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE (323) 881-2413 Date:  Thursday, October 4, 2012	FIRE CHIEF DARYL L. OSBY 1320 N. Eastern Avenue Los Angeles, CA  90063

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                              Contact:  LACoFD Public Affairs                                                                                                                 

(323) 881-2413

L.A. County Resident Suffers Serious Injuries

After Smoking in Bed

On Monday, October 1, 2012, at 8:41 p.m., Los Angeles County Fire units were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the City of Pomona.  The resident admitted to fire investigators that he caused the fire after falling asleep in bed with a lit cigarette.  Fortunately, smoke detectors at his home were working properly, giving him just enough warning to get outside upon the arrival of firefighters at 8:44 p.m., but not before sustaining severe burns. . 

As bad as this most recent incident was, it could have been much worse had the smoke detectors in this home not been operational.  Residents are reminded to change the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors twice per year when changing their clocks in the fall and spring.

Smoking in bed is one of the most preventable causes of fire in the nation.  From 2008 through 2010, there were nearly 23,000 smoking-related fires nationally, resulting in the deaths of 1,100 persons. A 54-year-old resident ofPico Rivera was killed earlier this year. 

The Los Angeles County Fire Department reminds everyone that smoking in bed is a negligent and highly preventable cause for fires that brings tragedy to families. 

CFN - California Fire News 2012 

 -