The American Red Cross of Alaska is offering free smoke alarms to Juneau City and Borough residents as a part of the Home Fire Campaign.
Seven times a day, someone in this country dies in a home fire, according to a press release from the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross is launching a nationwide campaign to reduce the number of home fire deaths and injuries by 25 percent over the next five years.
The organization joins with fire departments and community groups nationwide to canvass neighborhoods, provide and install smoke alarms and deliver fire prevention information.
The Red Cross is asking every household in America to take two simple steps that can save lives: checking their existing smoke alarms and practicing fire drills at home.
The Red Cross also recommends that families create a home fire escape plan and practice it with every member of their household — including children — several times a year, at different times of the day. Fire escape plans should include at least two escape routes for every room and families should consider escape ladders for sleeping areas or homes on the second floor or above. The Red Cross also recommends that families pick an agreed upon meeting place outside their home to meet in the event of a disaster of any type. Training is available from the Red Cross and Fire Department personnel to help families with their plans.
Residents who live in Juneau, and are in need of a smoke alarms and/or fire education are asked to sign up by calling Kate Pifer at 209-1329 or emailing kate.pifer@redcross.org to set an appointment.
