(OMAHA, NEB) — During Fire Prevention Week (October 5-11), the American Red Cross of Nebraska reminds everyone of the dangers of home fires. Per the Red Cross, home fires claim seven lives every day in the U.S. – more that all other natural disasters combined. To help protect your household, test your smoke alarms each month and practice your escape plan until everyone can get out in less than two minutes.
“Home fires can occur any time, any place,” said Josh Murray, Regional Communications Director, Nebraska-Iowa Red Cross. “The sooner an alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you can get out. This is critical because fire experts say you may have less than two minutes to escape a burning home before it’s too late.”
Tips for creating your home fire escape plan and practicing your 2-minute drill:
· Everyone in your household should know two ways to escape from each room in your home.
· Smoke is dangerous. Get low and go!
· Decide where to meet once you get outside. Select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as a neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone knows to meet.
· Get out and stay out. Never go back inside for people, pets or things.
· If a fire starts, you may have less than two minutes to get to safety. Time your fire drill and find out: what’s your escape time?
· While practicing your escape plan, teach children what a smoke alarm sounds like. Talk about fire safety and what to do in an emergency.
Smoke alarm safety:
· Place smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas.
· In addition to testing your alarms once a month, change the batteries at least once a year, if your model requires it.
· Also check the manufacturer’s date of your smoke alarms. If they’re 10 years or older, they need to be replaced because the sensor becomes less sensitive over time. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
The Red Cross reports that most of the 65,000 emergencies that it responds to each year are home fires. So far this year alone, local Red Cross Disaster Action teams have responded to nearly 300 home fires, assisting 975 people in Nebraska. Local Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers are available to provide emotional support, financial assistance, and information to help families begin the process of recovery.
To learn more about the Home Fire Campaign and how to get involved, visit redcross.org/homefires. Those interested in learning how to volunteer for a Red Cross Disaster Action Team can learn more at redcross.org/DAT.
