American Red Cross launches program to decrease home fire deaths

Seven times a day, someone in this country dies in a home fire. This morning, the American Red Cross launches a nationwide campaign to reduce the number of home fire deaths and injuries by 25 percent during the next five years.

The best way to do that is arming yourself with information.  Cindy Erickson, CEO of the American Red Cross St. Louis, and St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson explains what you can do.
It’s important to have working smoke alarms in your home.

Develop an escape plan and practice that plan.

Practice until everyone in your household can evacuate in less than two minutes
If you are trapped and cannot reach an exit, and if possible- hang a white sheet outside your window so the fire department can find you quickly
Statistics:

62% mistakenly believe that they have at least five minutes or more to escape a burning home – more than twice as long as they really may

18% mistakenly believe they have 10 minutes or more to escape

52% of parents with children have not talked to their families about fire safety

70% of families have not identified a safe place to meet outside the home in the event of a fire.

 Full Story