The American Red Cross is Helping Solve America's Biggest Disaster Threat, Home Fires

Please Help Solve America's Biggest Disaster Threat Home Fires

• On average
  7
  people
  die every day from a home fire.
 
• On average
  36
  people
  suffer injuries as a result of home fires every day.
 
• Over
  $7 billion
  in property damage
  occurs every year.

We installed 10 Red Cross smoke alarms and conducted education on fire safety in Dolan Springs last Saturday. We already have sixteen more smoke alarms to install in Meadview and White Hills.

We'll be making appointments with those who already contacted the Red Cross, and be doing the installations and fire safety education in Meadview and White Hills right after Christmas.

The Red Cross smoke alarms have a guaranteed 10 year battery, so there's no need to change batteries every year, 

WARNING If your smoke alarm is 10 years old, the battery may test fine, but the sensor may have failed and may not work when needed. Replace smoke alarms at least every 10 years. 

If your smoke alarms are over 10 years old or if you have no smoke alarms in your home, please call the Red Cross office in Kingman at (928) 753-1402.

PLEASE LEARN FIRE SAFETY DEVELOP AND PRACTICE A PLAN OF ESCAPE 

Install and maintain Fire extinguishers on every level of the home and in the kitchen, basement and garage. Know how to use a fire extinguisher prior to an emergency. 

Make a floor plan indicating all doors and windows and at least two (2) escape routes from each room. Second story windows may need a rope or chain ladder.

Have a family meeting and discuss your escape plan, showing everyone what to do in case of fire.

Determine a place outside your home where you all can meet if a fire occurs.

 Familiarize everyone with the sound of the smoke alarm and train them to leave your home when they hear it. DO NOT GO BACK INTO THE HOME

Practice a fire drill at least every six months, including fire drills at night. Ensure that small children hear the alarm and wake when it sounds. They must wake up in order to execute the escape plan. Practice allows all occupants to test your plan before an emergency. You may not be able to reach your children. It is important they know what to do.

WHAT TO DO WHEN THE ALARM SOUNDS

 Alert small children in the home. • Leave immediately by your escape plan. Every second counts, so don’t waste time getting dressed or picking up valuables.

In leaving, don’t open any inside door without first feeling its surface. If hot, or if you see smoke seeping through cracks, don’t open that door! Instead, use your alternate exit. If the inside of the door is cool, place your shoulder against it, open it slightly and be ready to slam it shut if heat and smoke rush in.

Stay close to the floor if the air is smoky. Breathe shallowly through a cloth, wet if possible.

Once outside, go to your selected meeting place and make sure everyone is there.

Call the fire department from your neighbor’s home - not from yours!

Don’t return to your home until the fire officials say that it is all right to do so. 

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