Fire Prevention Week highlights importance of home fire safety

As Fire Prevention Week runs Oct. 4-10, the American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas is reminding families that a few simple steps can make a critical difference when it comes to preventing home fires and escaping safely if one occurs.

The Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters across the country each year, and most of those disasters are home fires.

Ann Vastmans, regional communications manager for the Red Cross, said Fire Prevention Week provides an opportunity to remind people about the dangers of home fires and the steps they can take to protect themselves.

"Home Fire Prevention Week is a great time for us to kind of raise a little bit of awareness and help the community stay safe during a home fire," Vastmans said.

According to the Red Cross, cooking and home heating are the two leading causes of home fires. With the holidays approaching, Vastmans said families should be particularly mindful when preparing meals and entertaining guests.

"People are getting together, they're cooking. It's easy to get distracted in the kitchen when you're trying to catch up with family members that are in town," she said.

Vastmans encouraged people to keep a close eye on anything cooking and never leave a stove unattended. If someone needs to leave the kitchen, even briefly, she recommends turning off the stove.

Have a plan before a fire starts

One of the most important steps families can take is creating and practicing a home fire escape plan.

The Red Cross recommends that every household identify at least two ways to escape from every room and establish a safe meeting place outside the home. Families should practice their escape plan twice a year and make sure children know how to get out on their own.

"You want to make sure that they can get out of the house on their own and that then they know where to go," Vastmans said.

The Red Cross also reminds residents that everyone should get out and stay out during a fire. Once outside, people should call 911 and never return to the home for people, pets or belongings.

The plan should also include overnight guests.

"If you have family from out of town that is visiting and staying with you, make sure that they also know how to get out of your house in case of a fire and that they know where your designated meetup spot is once you get out," Vastmans said.

Check your smoke alarms

Working smoke alarms are another critical part of home fire safety.

"The most important thing you can do is have working smoke alarms," Vastmans said.

The Red Cross recommends installing smoke alarms on every level of a home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Alarms should be tested once a month.

Some newer smoke alarms have sealed, integrated batteries that are designed to last up to 10 years. Regardless of the type of alarm, residents should check the manufacturer's date and replace alarms that are 10 years old or older.

Vastmans said testing the alarms remains important even when they have long-lasting batteries.

Prevent fires in the kitchen

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States, according to the Red Cross.

Residents are encouraged to keep anything that can catch fire, including oven mitts, towels, paper or plastic bags and wooden utensils away from the stove and other heat-producing appliances.

The Red Cross also recommends keeping children at least three feet away from cooking areas and avoiding loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking. A fire extinguisher should also be readily available in the kitchen.

Heat homes safely

As temperatures drop and residents begin using heating equipment, the Red Cross is also urging caution.

Space heaters should have at least three feet of clear space around them and should be placed on a level, hard, nonflammable surface. They should never be left unattended or used near bedding, curtains, rugs or other materials that could catch fire.

Residents should also never use a cooking range or oven to heat their homes, and fireplaces should never be left unattended. Embers should be fully extinguished before going to bed or leaving the house.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, a home fire occurred every 23 seconds in 2024, with a life lost to a home fire every two hours and 14 minutes.

For Fire Prevention Week, the Red Cross is encouraging households to take time now to prepare rather than waiting for an emergency.

"The most important thing is to have a plan," Vastmans said. "Make sure that you can get out of the house safely. Make sure that you are keeping an eye out on what you're cooking in the kitchen and not leaving it unattended."

The Red Cross also offers a mobile app with information to help families create a home fire escape plan and learn more about fire prevention, home heating safety and other emergency preparedness steps.