Top Fire Preparedness Tips to Keep Your Family Safe

In advance of Fire Prevention Week, Charter our Community is proud to partner with the American Red Cross of Eastern Missouri on their Home Fire Preparedness Campaign. This weekend our volunteers are going door-to-door installing smoke detectors in Alton, Illinois. They will also be replacing batteries in existing detectors and providing fire prevention information to homeowners.

Recently Wes Shirley, Senior Manager of Communications at Charter, joined Cindy Erickson, CEO of the American Red Cross of Eastern Missouri on KMOV’s morning program “Great Day Saint Louis.” The pair gave fire preparedness tips and Cindy sent along this helpful advice so your family knows what to do if there’s a fire in your home.

Develop a Fire Preparedness Escape Plan

According to the Red Cross, home fires are the most common threat people face across the country and every family should develop a fire escape plan.

Find Your Escape Routes

When making the plan, look at all the exits and possible escape routes, including windows. List two ways to get out of every room in case fire blocks one of the paths.

Find Your Meeting Spot

Pick a place to meet outside, a safe distance away and – no matter the circumstances – stay out of the home until fire officials say it is okay to go back inside.

Rehearse Your Plan

Practice the plan with all members of the household until everyone can escape the home in less than two minutes.

Learn STOP, DROP and ROLL

Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1 and teach them to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.

Install Alarms on Every Level of Your Home

John Tijerina, Charter Field Tech Supervisor, installs a smoke detector at a Fire Preparedness Event in Belleville, Illinois.

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

Routine Alarm Maintenance

Test alarms monthly, install new batteries at least once a year or according to the alarm manufacturer’s instructions and replace alarms every ten years.

For more preparedness tips and opportunities to volunteer, visit redcross.org

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