Fire Prevention & Safety

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Last year, the American Red Cross responded to more than 63,000 fires nationwide. That's about 170 responses a day - one every eight minutes! The Southeast Louisiana Chapter responded to 631 home fires last year, providing food, shelter and support to 847 families trying to pick up the pieces. Statewide here in Louisiana, the Red Cross responsed to 1,886 fires. Home fires can strike quickly and without warning, devastating lives and property. But unlike other disasters, most home fires can be prevented.

The Red Cross encourages people to remember two key fire safety steps to protect their home and loved ones from fires: Get a smoke alarm and have a fire escape plan.

Get a Smoke Alarm

Some alarms save lives. Sixty-five percent of home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or with smoke alarms that don't work.
Make sure you have a smoke alarm on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
Test your smoke alarm once a month by pushing the test button and replace the batteries at least once a year.

Have a Fire Escape Plan

Fires can spread throughout your home in minutes, so when every second counts, having a plan can help you escape. Home fire escape plans should include at least two ways to escape from every room of your home.
Select a meeting spot at a safe distance from your home where family members can go after escaping.
After discussing your plan with all members of your household, you should practice the plan twice a year.

For more information, please download our Fire Prevention & Safety Checklist:

Fire Safety & Prevention:	(English pdf \| Spanish pdf \| Vietnamese pdf)

You can help victims of disasters like home fires by being trained as a Red Cross disaster responder. Red Cross disaster response volunteers specialize in functions ranging from damage assessment to public affairs to mental health counseling. Please visit our calendar to see upcoming training opportunities or go here to learn more.

The Red Cross depends on the generous support of Southeast Louisiana residents to be ready to respond and help our neighbors who are affected by home fires. You can help your neighbors recover from disasters like home fires by making a tax-deductible donation. You can make a donation online or by calling 504-320-3105, or mail a check to American Red Cross Southeast Louisiana Chapter, 2640 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119.