As you can see from this chart the downward slope of decreased fire deaths began a decade before ionization smoke alarms were installed into homes.
Despite the introduction of ionization smoke alarms the rate of fire deaths did not decrease.
(c) Copyright July 09
Fire Deaths per Million People
1950 - 1980
Civilian deaths per million people from fire and flame in the United States (1950, 1955-1979)
Source: National Safety Council
Note:
Downward trend
started well
before widespread
usage of smoke
detectors
beginning in 1970
Deaths
Trend
