The Madison-Oneida Chapter of the American Red Cross has seen an increase in home fires the past few weeks. “Just in the past two weeks there have been three fires, which affected four families that the chapter has responded to ” says Susan Tonra, Executive Director for the Madison-Oneida Chapter.

The American Red Cross urges families to be cautious when using space heaters and other heating sources. Home fires are the most common disaster in the United States and, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, alternative heating sources are involved in 74 percent of fire-related deaths. Despite the risk, more than half of families with children will use high-risk methods to heat their homes this winter.

“House fires are devastating to everyone involved,” says Smith. “Taking a few everyday precautions this winter can greatly reduce the risk of fire for you and your family.”

Simple Tips to Prevent Home Heating Fires

Keep all potential fuel sources (newspapers, matches, bedding, clothing, carpets and rugs) at least three feet away from heat sources, such as space heaters, fireplaces and stoves.

Provide constant adult supervision in rooms with lit candles or fires.

Keep fire in the fireplace by using glass or metal fire screens.

Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended. Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.

Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.

Turn off portable space heaters every time you leave the room or go to sleep.

Have wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, and chimneys inspected annually by a professional, and cleaned if necessary.

If you must use space heaters, place them on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Keep children and pets away from space heaters.

Also, with the approaching holidays, people are decorating with candles. Take extra precautions when using candles.

Keep animals and pets away from lit candles.

Keep candles far from curtains, drapes and blankets.

Do not use lighted candles near dry greenery or other flamable decorations.

Put candles on a steady surface.

Extinguish matches in water after using to light candles.

Simple Steps to Make Your Home Safer

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.

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 proper use of your extinguishers.

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, especially with children, at least twice a year and revise as necessary.

For more Red Cross fire safety and preparedness information, please visit 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 four 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.

Oneida Daily

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