If you live in areas with colder weather, you may want to turn your heat back on. Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires in this country, and the American Red Cross encourages families to take steps to safely heat their homes.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), space heaters are the most common cause of home heating fires, and a survey from the Red Cross showed that more than half of us have used one. It is essential to maintain at least three feet of space around all heating equipment and not to leave heaters unattended. Follow these additional tips:
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If you must use a portable heater, place it on a flat, hard, non-flammable surface, such as a clay tile floor. Do not place on carpets or rugs, or near beds or curtains. And keep children and pets away from the heater.
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Plug portable heater power cords directly into wall outlets, never use an extension cord. Turn it off every time you leave the room or go to sleep.
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Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.
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Do not leave fire burning in fireplaces unattended. Make sure the lights in the fireplace are out before you go to bed or leave the house. Use a glass or metal screen to keep embers inside the fireplace.
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Have furnaces, fireplaces, wood and charcoal stoves inspected annually by a professional and cleaned if necessary.
Stop home fire accidents To protect your family all year round, test your smoke alarms monthly and practice your two-minute home fire escape plan. Make sure everyone in your family can leave within two minutes, this is the time you may need to get out of a burning house safely before it’s too late.
If you can’t afford smoke alarmsor if you can’t install them, the Red Cross can help. Contact your Local Red Cross (in English) for help.
A visit CruzRojaAmerica.org/incendios For more information, you’ll also find an escape plan has been created and used with your family. Download the free Red Cross First Aid app to learn what to do if emergency help is delayed, and download the free Emergency app to access weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations, and safety precautions for various emergencies. Choose whether you want to view content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find these and all Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for American Red Cross or going to CruzRojaAmericana.org/aplicaciones-móviles.
A home fire prevention initiative saves lives Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Prevention Initiative, in collaboration with community partners, has saved at least 2, 196 live by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans, and installing free smoke alarms in high-risk areas across the country. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit CruzRojaAmerica.org/incendios.
2024-10-21 14:08:00
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