DETROIT (Oct. 6, 2025) – During Fire Prevention Week, the American Red Cross reminds everyone of the dangers of home fires, which claim seven lives every day in the U.S. 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 so it’s critical that households take steps to protect their loved ones,” said Latoysa “Toy” Rooks, regional disaster officer of the Red Cross Michigan Region. “The sooner a smoke alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you can get out. Fire experts say you have as little as two minutes to escape to safety.”

When there’s a home fire, the Red Cross works with fire departments to connect with families and provide assistance to everyone who needs it as part of its humanitarian mission. This assistance may include emergency sheltering, disaster mental health support and spiritual care, replacing lost items like medications and medical equipment, and financial assistance.

Thanks to donations, Red Cross services are free and available to those in need. 

The Red Cross offers these safety tips for households: 

Smoke Alarms:       

• Install smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas.        
• Test your smoke alarms once a month. If your model requires it, change the batteries at least once a year.     
• 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.       
• If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Contact your local Red Cross for help. 
  
  

Fire Escape Plan:      

• Everyone in your household should know two ways to escape from each room in your home.        
• 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.       
• Get out and stay out. Never go back inside for people, pets or things.       
• Practice your escape plan with family members. 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.
  
  

Cooking is the Leading Cause of Home Fires:        

• If you are frying, grilling or broiling food, never leave the stove or oven unattended. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove or oven.   
• Do not wear loose clothing or sleeves that dangle while cooking.        
• Keep kids and pets away from the cooking area. Make them stay at least three feet away from the stove.     
• Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stove, oven or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat.        
• Always check the kitchen before going to bed or
  leaving the home to make sure the stove, oven and small appliances are turned off.

For help creating a home fire escape plan, visit redcross.org/fire. 

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MEDIA CONTACT: David Olejarz / david.olejarz@redcross.org / 313-303-0606 

About the American Red Cross: 
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.