During Fire Prevention Week (October 5-11), the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania 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.

More people have died in home fires in Pennsylvania than in any other state so far this year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

“These are our neighbors, our friends, our family members – whose lives are forever changed by this unfortunate tragedy,” said Jorge Martinez, CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania. “But there is something we can do to help reverse this trend. Having working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half.”
 

FREE SMOKE ALARM INSTALLATIONS Through the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, our volunteers have worked with local fire departments and other community partners to install more than 3.1 million free smoke alarms across the country. If you need assistance, visit redcross.org/greaterpa for a free smoke alarm installation.
 

DISASTER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED So far this year, local Red Cross Disaster Action teams have responded to more than 1,500 home fires across Pennsylvania. Local Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers provide emotional support, financial assistance and information to help families begin the process of recovery. For emergencies like home fires, our volunteers provide comfort during what can be the worst days of people’s lives. Learn how you can volunteer for our Disaster Action Team at redcross.org/DAT.
 

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.