"Just go and push the button:" Fire officials ask public to check smoke detectors

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The number of fire deaths in the City of Milwaukee in 2014 has more than tripled last year's total. The latest victim died just this past weekend. That's why city officials are now pleading with the public to step up -- and take one simple step to ensure safety.

Early Sunday morning, emergency crews combed through what was left of an apartment building after a fire left it in ruins. The fire sent the building's occupants rushing to the exits. But 66-year-old Randolph Haushalter didn't make it out. His death is Milwaukee's seventh fire death this year.

"In all seven of our fire deaths this year that have happened in residences, there's been no working smoke detector," said Milwaukee Fire Chief Mark Rohlfing.

That's why they're asking you to make sure your home has a smoke detector -- and that it works.

"First of every month, just go and push the button and make sure it sounds," said Art Dahlberg, Department of Neighborhood Services Commissioner.

For those who rent, your landlord is responsible for supplying a detector to the unit. But it's up to tenants to test them and report it to the landlord if they're not functioning properly. You should also make sure your smoke detector always has working batteries.

"For the life of me, I do not understand why people will take batteries out of a smoke detector to power a remote control for a TV rather than keeping this fire and life safety feature in place," said Dahlberg.

Choosing to neglect your smoke detector could end up costing you your life.

"We know that the chance of dying in a home without the smoke detector is cut in half where there is a working smoke detector," said Rohlfing.

If you live in Milwaukee, the fire department will even come to your home, do a fire inspection and install alarms free of charge if you qualify.  The number is 414-286-8980.