National Fire Prevention Week

Local Red Cross volunteer responding to a home fire.

As the country marks National Fire Prevention Week October 3-9 the American Red Cross Southeast Missouri Chapter is urging everyone to help save lives by making sure their home is protected by smoke alarms.

"The largest percentage of home fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or alarms that don't work," said Jamie Koehler, Emergency Services Director, Southeast Missouri Chapter. "Smoke alarms provide a few minutes of advance warning in the event of a home fire, and that extra time can save lives."

People who do not have smoke alarms in their home should have them installed, and those with smoke alarms should make sure they have been properly maintained and updated.

Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home, as well as inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas of the home. People should test their smoke alarms once a month by pushing the test button, and replace alarm batteries at least once a year. Other smoke alarm safety recommendations include:

The Red Cross also recommends that families create and practice a home fire escape plan, which should include at least two escape routes for every room in the home. Families should choose a convenient meeting place outside of the home and practice their escape plan at least twice a year with all family members.

Nationally, the Red Cross responds to thousands of local fires throughout the country every year. Last year, the Southeast Missouri Chapter responded to over 200 home fires.

The Red Cross reminds people of the following fire safety tips they should take:

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Hurricanes of 2008, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.