KENNEWICK, OCTOBER 5, 2025 — During Fire Prevention Week (October 5-11), the American Red Cross reminds everyone of the dangers of home fires. 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, any place,” said Michele Roth, Chapter Executive Director. “The sooner an alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you can get out. This is critical because fire experts say you may have less than two minutes to escape a burning home before it’s too late.” 

Home fires and the devastating toll they take on survivors is the inspiration behind our annual Run for the Red Turkey Trot presented by Gesa Credit Union. This long-standing tradition raises critical funds to help support local families who have experienced unimaginable loss.

For more than two decades, residents in the Tri-Cities have enjoyed walking, running and trotting in support of the American Red Cross at the annual Turkey Trot. This family-friendly event is a beloved holiday tradition, bringing 3,000 participants together on Thanksgiving morning. 

The most important action you can take for your own family is to follow the steps below. Then, the local Red Cross invites everyone to take the extra step and register for our 2025 event.

LINK: https://americanredcross.donordrive.com/events/1146 

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. 

Did you know?

Local Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers provide emotional support, financial assistance, and information to help families begin the process of recovery. Most of the 65,000 emergencies that the Red Cross responds to each year are home fires. In the last five years, Red Cross Disaster Action teams in the Northwest Region have responded to an average of 1,000 home fire events each year.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. 

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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.