INDIANA — The state of Indiana has seen a decline in the number of deaths related to fires, according to the state’s top firefighter.

Indiana State Fire Marshal Jim Greeson reported that fire-related deaths dropped from 78 in 2016 to 70 last year, a decrease of 10.3 percent.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s Division of Fire and Building Safety is praising local first responders across the state for efforts in working to make Hoosiers more safe.

“It is tragic to see anyone injured or killed in a fire, but we’re encouraged to see that fewer people were affected this year,” said Greeson. “We applaud the first responders throughout Indiana who have worked day and night to not only protect fellow Hoosiers, but also to better educate their communities on the importance of fire safety.” Experts continue to tout the importance of early warning in fire safety.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, from 2009 to 2013, two out of five fire deaths in the U.S. occurred in homes where no smoke alarms were present. The NFPA also reported that one out of every five fire deaths occurred in homes where smoke alarms were present but failed to operate. The NFPA has also found that households with smoke alarms that don’t work are beginning to outnumber the households with no alarms.

In an effort to provide safety to Hoosiers, local fire departments across the state have continued to make smoke detectors available to their communities. Many departments have worked alongside the American Red Cross to help install working smoke alarms in Hoosier homes, according to IDHS.