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The American Red Cross has prepared this information to encourage you take precautions to help keep you safe and speed your recovery after a fire. It also offers ideas on what you can do to help make yourself and your home safer from fires in the future.*

Recently your community was struck by fire. Someone died. As you continue to report about the devastating effects of this fire, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) encourages you to remind your audience that many fire deaths and injuries are preventable. More than 4,000 Americans die each year in fires and more than 25,000 are injured. Many of them might be alive today if they had only had the information they needed to avoid a disaster. The following life-saving tips could make a big difference to your audience. y incorporating them in your story now, while the moment is still fresh, you could help save a life.

Recently your community was struck by fire. Someone died. As you continue to report about the devastating effects of this fire, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) encourages you to remind your audience that many fire deaths and injuries are preventable. More than 4,000 Americans die each year in fires and more than 25,000 are injured. Many of them might be alive today if they had only had the information they needed to avoid a disaster. The following life-saving tips could make a big difference to your audience. By incorporating them in your story now, while the moment is still fresh, you could help save a life.

Here’s what you can do to prepare for such an emergency- Make your home fire-safe - Plan your escape routes - Escape safely --- Install smoke alarms outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your residence. Keep new batteries on hand.

Each year, fire claims the lives of more than 4,000 Americans and injures more than 25,000. Bedrooms are a common area of fire origin. Nearly 1,000 lives are lost to fires that start in bedrooms. Many of these fires are caused by misuse or poor maintenance of electrical devices, such as overloading extension cords or using portable space heaters too close to combustibles. Many other bedroom fires are caused by children who play with matches and lighters, careless smoking among adults, and arson.

More than 4,000 Americans die each year in fires and more than 25,000 are injured. Many of them might be alive today if they had only had the information they needed to avoid a disaster. The following life-saving tips could make a big difference to your audience. By incorporating them in your story now, while the moment is still fresh, you could help save a life.

Following these simple fire safety tips can boost survival rates dramatically. Please share them with your readers because knowledge is the best fire protection.

For more information on how you can help prevent fire deaths please contact your local fire department on a nonemergency number or the United States Fire Administration

There is a threat for fires every day and anywhere. House Fires most often occur in the Winter Months, whereas Wild Fires generally occur each summer and fall. That dry brush is waiting to burn and in a drought season, it is even more of a threat. This fact sheet is intended to help you prepare for wildfires, but it also has tips on everyday things you can do to prevent fires. Make your environment safer by conducting a fire hazard hunt to reduce risks of fire and related deaths, injury or property damage. Take the following steps to make your environment safer:

Following these simple fire safety tips can boost survival rates dramatically. Please share them with your readers because knowledge is the best fire protection.

Wildland fires destroy hundreds of homes and acres of land every year across the country. Fire-safe landscaping is an effective tool that creates an area of defensible space between your home and flammable vegetation that protects against devastating fires.

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. Vacuum away cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly. Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time. Replace your smoke alarms every ten years.

More than one-third of Americans use fireplaces, wood stoves and other fuel-fired appliances as primary heat sources in their homes. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the fire risks when heating with wood and solid fuels. Heating fires account for 36% of residential home fires in rural areas every year. Often these fires are due to creosote buildup in chimneys and stovepipes. All home heating systems require regular maintenance to function safely and efficiently.

HAVE A SOUND FIRE ESCAPE PLAN In the event of a fire, remember — time is the biggest enemy and every second counts! Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly. In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for a house to fill with thick black smoke and become engulfed in flames.

Eighty percent of all fire deaths occur in the home. During the holiday season there are over 1,200 fires and 190 fire injuries associated with improper holiday tree and candle care. Most holiday fires can be easily prevented. Having a working smoke alarm more than doubles one’s chance of surviving a fire. Following these simple fire safety tips can boost survival rates dramatically. Please share them with your readers because knowledge is the best fire protection.