Red Cross Urges Communities to Take Steps Now to Prevent Home Fires

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (February 1, 2021) – As home fires continue to surge throughout the South Florida Region, the Red Cross urges residents to test their smoke alarms and practice their escape plan ensuring families are prepared in case of an emergency.

In 2020, the South Florida Red Cross responded to more than 631 home fires and helped more than 3,138 people with urgent needs like emergency lodging, financial assistance, and recovery planning, and it hasn’t slowed down in the start of 2021.

“Our Red Cross team is responding to home fires at an alarming rate and we want to make sure everyone is taking the necessary steps to stay safe,” said Josett Valdez, CEO of the South Florida Red Cross. “We recommend testing your smoke alarms and practicing your escape plan regularly. These simple steps can help protect you and your loved ones in the event of a fire.”

TAKE STEPS NOW TO PREPARE Home fires take seven lives each day in the U.S., most often in homes without working smoke alarms. The Red Cross urges individuals to protect themselves and their loved ones by taking steps to prepare and respond in the event of a home fire.

• Test your smoke alarms monthly.
  • Place smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas.
  • Change the batteries at least once a year if your model requires it.
  • 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.
• Practice your escape plan until everyone can get out in less than two minutes.
  • Include at least two ways to exit every room in your home.
  • Select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone knows to meet.
  • Teach children what a smoke alarm sounds like. Talk about fire safety and what to do in an emergency.

Additional information and resources can be found at redcross.org/homefires or download the free Red Cross Emergency App by visiting redcross.org/apps.

HOW YOU CAN HELP Every 8 minutes, someone affected by disaster is helped by donations to the Red Cross. The generosity of Red Cross donors helps provide people with necessities like shelter, food, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning, and other assistance.

To help the Red Cross continue to deliver its lifesaving mission, visit redcross.org, or call 1-800 Red Cross.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/southflorida or visit us on Facebook or Twitter at @SFLRedCross.

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