American Red Cross: Are You Prepared For A Fire At Your Home?
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The American Red Cross has launched a campaign aimed at cutting the number of deaths in home fires by 25 percent over the next five years.
A new national study shows most people have a false sense of security about fire safety, WCBS 880's Monica Miller reported. The campaign seeks to encourage people to install the proper number of smoke alarms in their homes and practice an escape plan.
According to the survey, only 18 percent of families with children have practiced home fire drills, and only 48 percent have talked to their families about fire safety.
American Red Cross: Are You Prepared For A Fire At Your Home?
Josh Lockwood, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross of Greater New York, which responds to nearly 2,000 fires each year, said the study shows most residents don't know that they need more than one fire alarm in their homes.
"Ideally in every room," he told Miller. "But at least in a small geographic area within your home."
LINK: More Info From The American Red Cross
Families, especially those with young children or relatives with special needs, need to formulate an escape plan, Lockwood said.
"To make sure that they can get out of their home in two minutes, which is the amount of time that typically a family needs to get to safety out of their home," Lockwood said.
Lockwood said practicing fire drills on a regular basis cuts the chances of a death in a fire dramtically -- and having working fire alarms reduces the odds in half that someone will perish.
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