In response to two fatal fires in the first days of the new year, the state Department of State's Office of Fire Prevention and Control on Tuesday issued a statement urging all New Yorkers to make sure their homes have working smoke alarms.

Warning of a developing fire, the office said, provides the best opportunity for escape and greatly increases a person's chances of survival.

An Oswego County fire in which eight people were killed and a Herkimer County fire that killed a 6-year-old girl both involved homes found to be without working smoke detectors.

“We urge every household to prepare a home fire safety exit plan and to practice this plan routinely as a means to aid family members in swiftly exiting their home should a fire be detected,” state Fire Administrator Floyd A. Madison said in a news release.

The U.S. Fire Administration says that, across the country, there have been more than 200 fire deaths since Thanksgiving.

U.S. Fire Administrator Gregory Cade says those tragedies are unacceptable and might have been prevented by smoke alarms.

He plans to discuss the problem further at a news conference today in Washington.

For information on the proper installation, maintenance and benefits of home smoke detectors, the state office of fire prevention recommends contacting your local fire department or the office of Fire Prevention and Control at www.dos.state.ny.us/fire/firewww.html.