American Red Cross Responds to Increase in Home Fires

Residents Encouraged to Follow Safety Tips

BELLINGHAM, January, 4, 2012 - The American Red Cross Mt. Baker Chapter responded to seven fires in December that affected 25 residents.

House fires can take lives and tear families apart. The mission of the American Red Cross is to prevent prepare for and respond to all emergencies. The Red Cross promises to be there to support every family through every disaster and provide them with help and hope when they need it the most. However, educating our community is the most important part of our mission. Being prepared saves lives. The Red Cross encourages everyone to follow the house fire safety tips below.

Cold weather and winter conditions often bring an increase in home fires as many people use alternate heating sources such as space heaters, fireplaces, or coal or wood stoves to stay warm. Fires related to heating are the second leading cause of home fires in this country, and fixed and portable space heaters are involved in 74 percent of fire-related deaths. Even something as simple as an electric blanket can start a fire.

The American Red Cross urges everyone to use caution when turning to these different methods of keeping their home warm and offers the following safety tips on how to prevent fires:

•      Keep all potential sources of fuel like paper, clothing, bedding, curtains or rugs at least three feet away from space heaters, stoves, or fireplaces.

•     Portable heaters and fireplaces should never be left unattended. Turn off space heaters and make sure any embers in the fireplace are extinguished before going to bed or leaving home.

•   If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Keep children and pets away from space heaters.

•   When buying a space heater, look for models that shut off automatically if the heater falls over as another safety measure.

•   Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.

•   Keep fire in your fireplace by using a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.

•   Have wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, and furnaces professionally inspected and cleaned once a year.

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Be Red Cross Ready

Be prepared for a flood, earthquake, house fire, or other disaster.

Attend a free Red Cross emergency preparedness class. Learn how to prepare an emergency kit, create a disaster plan, and get useful emergency tips.

The next class is Wednesday, February 29th from 6 to 7 PM at the local Red Cross Headquarters, 2111 King Street, in Bellingham.

A second class will be held March 28 at the new Red Cross Skagit County Service Center, 104 South Walnut in Burlington, also between 6 and 7 pm.

The classes are free to the public. No RSVP is required.

For more information go to www.mtbredcross.org.