Nevada (775 Times, NV Globe) – The American Red Cross of Northern Nevada encourages everyone to practice their two-minute house fire escape plan and test their smoke alarms during Fire Prevention Week (October 9-15) to keep safe from the nation’s most common tragedy.

According to fire experts, you may only have two minutes to safely flee a house fire before it’s too late.

These crises account for the vast majority of the 60,000-plus disasters to which the Red Cross responds each year in the United States, where home fire responses are 30% greater in the winter than in the summer.

“As the threat of home fires increases with colder temperatures, Fire Prevention Week serves as an important reminder to prepare now,” Mary Powell, executive director of the Red Cross Northern Nevada Chapter said.  “Practice your two-minute home fire escape drill and test your smoke alarms monthly to help keep your family safe.”

Practice your plan with your entire family, and educate your children what a smoke alarm sounds like and what to do in an emergency. More information, including a printable escape plan and safety recommendations for cooking and home heating, can be found at redcross.org/fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association, which is supporting Fire Prevention Week under the theme “Fire Won’t Wait.” Prepare Your Escape.”

Tips for practicing your two-minute drill are provided below:

• Include at least two exits from each room in your home in your emergency plan
• Choose a meeting location that is a safe distance from your home, such as a neighbor’s house or a landmark, such as a certain tree in your front yard, where everyone knows to gather.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including bedrooms and sleeping places on the inside and outdoors. If your model needs it, test the alarms regularly and replenish the batteries at least once a year.
• Check the manufacturing date of your smoke detectors. If they are more than ten years old, they will almost certainly need to be changed since components such as batteries can become less trustworthy. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for your alarm.
• Tailor your escape strategy to meet the requirements of everyone in your home. Install strobe light and bed shaker alarms if you or a loved one is deaf or hard of hearing to help notify you to a fire. More information, including materials in American Sign Language, may be found at redcross.org/ASL-disaster-resources.
• If you cannot afford to purchase or install smoke alarms, the Red Cross of Northern Nevada may be able to assist you.
• Call the Northern Nevada chapter at 775-954-1185 for further information.
• Please provide your full name, address, zip code, and phone number. During the 20-minute installation visit, Red Cross experts and volunteers will also tailor evacuation plans and give education information.

Credits: 2News

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