According to the National Fire Protection Association, roughly 3 out of 5 fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly.
Tips for Fire Safety
- Install smoke alarms on all levels of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
- Test smoke alarms every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries. Note: newer detectors sometimes have 10-year non replaceable batteries.
- Talk with your family about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.
- Close the door and protect yourself if you can’t get out. This can slow fire spread and buy some time.
Tips for creating your home fire escape plan and practicing your 2-minute drill
Talk with your family about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.
- Everyone in your household should know two ways to escape from each room in your home.
- Smoke is dangerous. Get low and go!
- Decide on a common meeting area to your fire escape plan with 2 ways out. This ensures all family members can be accounted for quickly.
- Get out and stay out. Never go back inside for people, pets, or things.
- Time your drills! If a fire starts, you may have less than two minutes to get to safety.
Since 2014, the Red Cross, in partnership with fire departments and other local groups, has visited homes installing free smoke alarms, replacing batteries in existing alarms, and providing fire prevention and safety education to prevent needless tragedies.
How you can get involved
Join local Red Cross volunteers for a rewarding day at a Sound the Alarm event near you this Spring, and invite others to sponsor your commitment to help save lives.