Red Cross Offers Fire Safety Tips
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"While home fires can affect anyone, anywhere and at any time, there is typically an increase in apartment and house fires at this time of year because of the use of candles and space heaters," said Berkshire American Red Cross Director Kathleen Phillips. "This year, more than ever, we're urging people to take time to learn and follow safety procedures. By making your home as fire safe as you can, plotting and practicing escape routes and following through on your plan if needed, you can prevent tragedy from occurring."
Safety Precautions
■ Be cautious with portable space heaters: During the months of December, January and February, heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires according to the National Fire Prevention Association. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, fixed and portable space heaters, including wood stoves, are involved in 74 percent of fire-related deaths. Place space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything combustible, including wallpaper, bedding, clothing, pets and people. Never leave space heaters operating when you are not in the room or when you go to bed. Don't leave children or pets unattended near space heaters, and be sure everyone knows that drying wet mittens or other clothing over space heaters is a fire hazard.
■ Use caution with candles: Keep candles away from combustible materials. Don't leave children unattended in a room with lit candles. Keep candles, matches and lighters out of the reach of children. Never display lighted candles in windows or near exits. Do not use candles for lighting if the power goes out. Use flashlights only. Do not use candles for lighting if the power goes out. Use flashlights only
■ Keep fire extinguishers handy throughout your home: Get training from your fire department in how to use them. Consider installing other equipment, such as an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home.
■ Inspect fireplaces and wood stoves: Use a sturdy screen when burning fires. Burn only wood — never burn paper or pine boughs. Have your chimney connections and flues inspected by a professional and cleaned if necessary prior to the start of every heating season.
■ Use generators carefully: If you have a portable generator and the power goes out, always plan to keep the generator outdoors-never operate it inside, including the basement or garage. Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring. The safest thing to do is to connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Connecting a cord from the generator to a point on the permanent wiring system and back-feeding power to your home is an unsafe method to supply a building with power.
■ Use clothes and blankets to build layers against the cold: Have extra blankets, scarves, hats and sweaters on hand, and ensure that each member of your household is ready with a warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat, and water-resistant boots when you go outside.
■ Create a disaster supply kit: Get together lifesaving items in both your home and vehicle. Go to www.redcross.org for a list of materials.
■ Make and practice your fire escape plan today.
■ Make sure smoke alarms are working properly and replace batteries as necessary.
■ Don't overload your electrical outlets: Be careful of extension cords that present hazardous walkways.
■ Learn the lifesaving skills of first aid/CPR. Contact your local Red Cross chapter for details.
You and your family can get more information on fire safety and creating your home fire plan by visiting www.redcross.org/homefires.
The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States.
The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.
