Officials said the number of fire deaths in Ohio increased slightly from last year to this year, with 117 fatalities reported in 2015.
That was the total as of Tuesday, when the state's fire-prevention chief, Frank Conway, announced the statistics in Columbus. Ohio had 115 fire deaths in 2014.
Conway said January probably will bring colder temperatures, and it's typically among the worst months for fires. The 26 fire deaths last January make it the deadliest month this year.
Conway said Ohioans can improve safety by ensuring their smoke alarms work, turning off heaters when leaving a room and keeping flammable objects away from heat sources.
His comments came a day after a Hamilton firefighter battling a blaze fell through a floor at a southwest Ohio home and died.
