The biggest disaster threat to families every day isn’t floods, earthquakes or tornadoes, it’s fire. Last year, the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles responded to one home fire a day.
You can take steps to minimize the risk of home fires by remembering two key fire safety tips: install a smoke alarm and develop a fire escape plan.
Home fires can start quickly and without warning, devastating lives and property. But while home fires are a serious concern, the good news is that people can take steps to reduce their risk.
- Make sure you have a smoke alarm on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
- Test your smoke alarm once a month by pushing the test button, and replace the batteries at least once a year.
- Create an escape plan. Home fire escape plans should include at least two ways to escape from every room of your home. Make sure to select a meeting spot a safe distance from your home where family members can meet after escaping. After discussing your plan with all members of your household, practice the plan twice a year.
The Red Cross also recommends other simple steps to help prevent fires:
- Keep all sources of fuel (paper, clothing, bedding, and carpets or rugs) at least three feet away from all heat sources when cooking, or using alternative heating like a space heater.
- Don’t leave the kitchen while you’re frying, grilling or broiling food, and don’t leave home if you’re simmering, baking, boiling or roasting food.
- Keep matches and lighters away from and out of reach of children.
The American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles depends on the generous support of financial donors to respond to their community members who are affected by home fires. You can make a donation to help your neighbors who are affected by home fires in your community by visiting www.RedcrossLA.org.
Related links:
Sparky.org Learn fire safety from Sparky the fire dog
USFA for Kids U.S. Fire Administration site for kids features games, puzzles, fire safety tips
National Fire Protection Agency
County of Los Angeles Fire Department
Los Angeles Fire Department
