National Fire Prevention Week

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - This week, October 9th - 15th is the 100th year of National Fire Prevention Week, and the American Red Cross, as well as local fire departments are sharing safety tips to help reduce your chances of being in a house fire.

And before you think you will never be in a house fire, your odds are actually higher than you may think.

In fact, according to Janet Lewis Novick, Executive Director for the American Red Cross of Wyoming, your odds of being in a house fire are 1 in 400... Higher than finding a four leaf clover.

The American Red Cross recommends that you test your smoke alarms every month, change the battery every 6 months, and replace the system every 10 years.

New, off-the-shelf smoke detectors have batteries that last 10 years, but you should still test them monthly.

Smoke alarms are also one of the most effective tools when it comes to surviving a home fire. “When your smoke alarm goes off, you have two minutes to get out of your house, and it improves your odds by 50 percent of surviving if you have a working smoke alarm.” says Lewis Novick.

Another key component in protecting yourself and your family is curating a two-minute escape plan.

“If you are living in a single family home make sure you have an escape plan knowing two ways out of any room in your home or any place in your home. If you have an apartment building, same concept. Know the ways out of an apartment including stairwells; what to do if that stairwell is blocked.” Says Dane Andersen with the Casper Fire-EMS Department.

The American Red Cross also recommends making a 2 minute plan and picking a spot in front of or near your house where you and your family can meet up.

And if you are having trouble creating an escape plan, testing or installing a new smoke alarm, or need assistance, the Red Cross will come to your home and help you free of charge.

Just last year, over 250 Wyomingites were misplaced by home fires. To learn more about home fire safety, head to the Red Cross website here.

The Red Cross also has a resource to help educate kids about home fires and making a plan. That can be found at this link.

For any other questions, call the Red Cross, or your local fire department.

Copyright 2022 KGWN. All rights reserved.