This week, October 9-15, is Fire Prevention Week — an important reminder to protect your family against the threat of home fires - our state's most frequent disaster. The American Red Cross responds to an average of six home fires every day in South Carolina. These disasters can strike quickly and leave you with as little as two minutes to safely escape.

"I had gone to Florida for a funeral, and my grandson was living with me at the time, and he happened to be in Atlanta. Thank God no one was at home. We lost everything," Patricia Elmore of Fountain Inn, SC, reflects on the fire that destroyed her home and all her belongings in May. "If it wasn't burned, it was smoky. I tried to dry clean some things, but they couldn't get the smell out."

A breast cancer survivor, Patricia was devastated to lose her wigs in the electrical fire that consumed all her possessions. A resourceful Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteer, Julienne Correa, connected Patricia with the Cancer Society of Greenville County who helped Patricia replace her wigs. 

"I had breast cancer, but now I feel wonderful and blessed that it hasn't come back. The Red Cross helped me to get a couple of wigs because all of my wigs were destroyed," said Patricia of the Red Cross services after the fire. "They also gave me financial aid and a gift card to buy groceries. They were very helpful. Julienne called me at least twice a week after the fire."

In addition to providing assistance to cover immediate needs such as shelter, clothes, and food, the Red Cross also provides people impacted by disasters with mental and spiritual care and referrals for much-needed services like replacing medications or eyeglasses. The Red Cross relies on partners such as government agencies and other nonprofits to help care for those in need during emergencies. 

"It takes a village. The Red Cross can't do it alone. We understand that recovery from a disaster is multifaceted. Our commitment to grow existing partnerships and foster new community relationships ensures our lifesaving mission reaches all who are counting on us in their time of need," said Julienne Correa, Red Cross community engagement volunteer. "In this case, with the help of the Cancer Society of Greenville, together, we can ensure our clients are on the journey of becoming whole again after suffering a devastating disaster. We are grateful to our partners."

TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM HOME FIRES The Red Cross of South Carolina urges everyone to practice their two-minute home fire escape plan and test their smoke alarms to stay safe from home fires. Two minutes is the time that fire experts say you may have to escape a home fire before it's too late. 

PRACTICE YOUR TWO-MINUTE DRILL Practice your plan with everyone in your household; also, teach children what a smoke alarm sounds like and what to do in an emergency. Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including a printable escape plan and safety tips for cooking and home heating — the leading causes of home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

• Include at least two ways to exit every room in your home in your escape plan.

• Select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor's home or a landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone knows to meet.

• Place smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Test alarms monthly and 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 likely need to be replaced because components such as batteries can become less reliable. Follow your alarm manufacturer's instructions.

• Tailor your escape plan to everyone's needs in your household. If you or a loved one is deaf or hard of hearing, install strobe light and bed-shaker alarms to help alert you to a fire. Visit redcross.org/ASL-disaster-resources for more information, including resources in American Sign Language.

IF YOU NEED HELP 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.