Now is the Time to Put Fire Safety Precautions in Place

When local fire departments respond to a home fire, the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley also answers the call. Volunteers and staff are on call 24/7, often leaving behind friends, loved ones and warm beds in the middle of the night to meet with those affected by disaster.

"When the Red Cross arrives on the scene of a fire, we move fast," said Cordelia Miller, director of emergency services. "Our mission is to quickly address the immediate challenges of those affected - providing shelter if needed, as well as the means to replace clothing, food, personal items and medications. Most of all, we are there for the people of this community: the human response when emergencies touch our lives."

As Fire Prevention Week begins (Oct. 9 - 15), the American Red Cross urges families to put some simple preventive plans in place to help keep loved ones and homes safe from harm.

Make Your Home Fire Safe

• Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home.
• If people sleep with doors closed, install smoke alarms inside sleeping areas, too.
• Use the test button to check each smoke alarm once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace all batteries at least once a year.
• Vacuum away cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly.
• Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time. Replace your smoke alarms every 10 years.
• Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department in how to use them.
• Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home.

• Determine at least two ways to escape from every room of your home.
• Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or third floor. Learn how to use them and store them near the window.
• Select a location outside your home where everyone would meet after escaping.
• Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.

• Once you are out, stay out! Call the fire department from a neighbor's home.
• If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to your exit.
• If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second way out.
• If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a bright-colored cloth at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and tell them where you are.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training; Lifeline, a personal response service for seniors; and emergency relief to more than 20,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865‑4400, ext. 247 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.