Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
PORTLAND – The Red Cross of Northern New England has resumed its free smoke alarm installation program and home safety checks.
The Red Cross is reminding the public that every second counts when there’s a home fire. In fact, home fires so dangerous that they claim more lives in a typical year than all natural disasters combined, but working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half.
Home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster, taking seven lives every day in this country.
Those interested in the free service can schedule an installation by visiting redcross.org/endhomefiresNNE or calling 1-800-464-6692.
The Red Cross also reminds Mainers that when they turn their clocks back the weekend of Nov. 6-7, to also test their smoke alarms.
“It’s critical to take action now to be as safe as possible as the threat of home fires increases with the holidays and cooler weather,” said Aaron McIntire, regional disaster officer, Red Cross of Northern New England.
McIntire said that, as of the end of October, Red Cross volunteers had responded to 191 home fires in Maine, assisting 760 individuals, this year.
McIntyre said some simple steps will help protect the home and those who live in it:
1. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas.
2. Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. Components such as sensors can become less sensitive over time. Follow your alarm’s manufacturer instructions.
3. Practice your two-minute home fire escape plan. Make sure everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes — that’s the amount of time you may have to escape a burning home before it’s too late. Include at least two ways to get out of every room and select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone can meet.
The Red Cross Home Fire Campaign with community partners has saved t least1,048 lives since 2014 by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing more than 2.2 million free smoke alarms in high-risk homes across the country.
