Home fires claim seven lives every day in U.S.
NASHVILLE— As people turn their clocks back this weekend for the end of daylight-saving time (Nov. 7), the American Red Cross asks everyone to also test their smoke alarms. Home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster and tragically take seven lives every day in this country.
“It’s critical to take action now to be as safe as possible as the threat of home fires increases with the holidays and cooler weather,” said Joel Sullivan, Regional Executive for the American Red Cross Tennessee Region. “In the past twelve months, Red Cross volunteers in this area responded to 2,269 home fires. The good news is that you can take a few simple steps this weekend to help protect your loved ones.”
During a fire, early warning from a working smoke alarm plus a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives. As the clocks “fall back” when daylight saving time ends on Sunday, Nov. 7, it’s also the perfect time to test your smoke alarms and replace the batteries if needed.
In addition to testing your smoke alarms this weekend, follow these three steps get your home ready:
HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN SAVES 1,000+ LIVES
Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign with community partners has saved at least 1,048 lives by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing more than 2.2 million free smoke alarms in high-risk homes across the country. For more information, including safety tips and free resources, visit redcross.org/homefires or download the free Red Cross Emergency app by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in app stores.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent 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, pleasevisitredcross.org/tennesseeor visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossTN.
