DALLAS —National Fire Prevention Week is October 4-10, and the American Red Cross urges everyone to test their smoke alarms and practice their escape plan as home fires continue during COVID-19.
Since February, the Red Cross has responded to more than 29,000 home fires across the country to help more than 128,000 people with urgent needs like emergency lodging, financial assistance and recovery planning. The nation’s most frequent disaster, home fires are most often caused by cooking, according to the National Fire Protection Association, which is sponsoring Fire Prevention Week with the theme, “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!”
“Home fires haven’t stopped during COVID-19, and neither has the need to prevent fire tragedies,” said Keith Rhodes, chief executive officer, Red Cross North Texas Region. “During Fire Prevention Week, test your smoke alarms and practice your escape plan to help protect you and your loved ones.”
RED CROSS SURVEY: MOST OF US ARE UNDERPREPARED
Home fires claim seven lives a day in the U.S., but a new 2020 national Red Cross survey shows most of us aren’t taking the steps to protect ourselves.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY
During Fire Prevention Week, test your smoke alarms and practice your escape plan until everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes. Visit redcross.org/fire for more information or download the free Red Cross Emergency app (search “American Red Cross” in app stores).
The Red Cross Home Fire Campaign is made possible with generous financial donations from national partners like Lowe’s.