ONE is the loneliest number
I am the only smoke alarm in the licensed 24-hour daycare. I’m in the attic. Tonight a fire will start in a frayed electrical cord downstairs. Everyone will be asleep; I’m too far away to detect the smoke.
Five children will die, firefighters can’t save them. The state inspector did not check me or say more were needed. I don’t know if the families who bring their children here have smoke alarms in their homes. I don’t remember any firefighters coming here to check on me.
Tomorrow, like many times before, the headline will read
Not Enough Smoke Alarms…Children Killed
