National Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 6-12, and the Northwest Region of the American Red Cross urges everyone to practice their home fire escape plan and test their smoke alarms.

“During Fire Prevention Week, prepare your family for home fires before the holidays and cold weather increase the risk of these crises,” said Alex Dieffenbach, Regional CEO. “Home fires are most often caused by cooking and heating equipment, and we want everyone to stay safe. Please install and test smoke alarms on every level of your home, and practice your escape plan until everyone can get out in two minutes or less.”

For free home fire safety resources, visit redcross.org/homefires or download the free Red Cross Emergency App (search “American Red Cross” in app stores).

Practice your plan and test your alarms

• Include at least two ways to get out of each room in your home fire escape plan.

• 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.

• Practice your escape plan until everyone can get out in two minutes or less.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, placing them inside and outside bedrooms, and sleeping areas.

• Test smoke alarms monthly, and change the batteries at least once a year, if your model requires it.

Lifesaving home fire campaign marks five years

Home fires take seven lives each day in the U.S., most often in homes without working smoke alarms. That’s why the Red Cross is working with partners to install free smoke alarms in high-risk communities and help families create escape plans through its Home Fire Campaign — which has saved at least 642 lives across the country since launching in October 2014.

Over the past five years throughout the Northwest Region, the Red Cross and local partners have:

• Installed 23,000 free smoke alarms.

• Reached 11,300 children through youth preparedness programs.

• Made 8,500 households safer from the threat of home fires.

Free smoke alarms for homes that need them

To request an alarm:

Click: GetaSmokeAlarm.org

Call: 206-709-4502 or 833-918-1531

Text: ALARM to 844-811-0100