Frequently Asked Questions About Home Fires

Are home fires a big problem in the United States?
Sadly, yes. Last year, the Red Cross responded to more than 74,000 disasters, 93 percent of them were fire-related. This is a devastating fact since many home fires can be prevented.

Are home fires increasing?
Unfortunately, yes. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that residential fires across the country have increased 8 percent since 2000, and the average cost of damages from a home fire during 2006 was more than $17,000. The Red Cross response to home fires has increased as well, rising 10 percent since 2000.

When do home fires happen?
Home fires can happen at any time, but they generally increase during the fall and winter, with December and January being the peak months. Home fires are also more common on Saturday and Sunday, and tend to peak between 6:00 and 7:00 PM.

Where are home fires most likely to start?
Home fires are more likely to start in the kitchen than any other room in the home. The second leading cause of home fires are heating sources like wood stoves, and fireplaces. Fires caused by smoking are the leading cause of deaths.

Who are affected by home fires?
Home fires don’t discriminate and can affect any home at any time. However, children under five and adults over 65 face the highest risk of dying in a home fire.

How can I prepare for a potential home fire?
Smoke alarms are a critical step in being prepared for a home fire. Smoke alarms should be installed outside each sleeping area and on each level of your home. If you and your family sleep with the doors closed, install smoke alarms inside sleeping areas, too.

My home has a smoke alarm, is that all I need to do?
No, to function properly, smoke alarms must be maintained. In 2005, the NFPA reported that 74 percent of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Once a month you should use the test button to check each smoke alarm. And at least once a year, all smoke alarm batteries should be replaced. In addition, smoke alarms can become less sensitive over time and should be replaced at least every 10 years.

If I have a fire extinguisher in my home, do I need training to use it?
Yes. Fire extinguishers are a great tool, but like any tool you need to learn how to use them properly and safely. Using a fire extinguisher on even small fires takes practice and quick thinking so there is not a delay in calling 9-1-1. The Red Cross suggests learning how to properly use fire extinguishers by contacting your local fire department to get training.

Why do I need a fire escape plan?
Fires can ignite very quickly and without warning, leaving you and your loved ones with little or no time to escape. By creating and practicing an escape plan, family members can save valuable time in the event of a fire by knowing exactly how to act.

How can I create a fire escape plan?
Begin by determining at least two ways to escape from every room of your home. For floors above ground level, escape ladders should be stored near the window. Also, make sure to select a central location at a safe distance from your home where family members can meet after escaping. After creating and discussing your plan with all members of your household, the Red Cross recommends that you practice your plan at least twice a year.

If a fire happens, can I go back into my home if I’ve forgotten something?
Once you are out of a burning home, stay out! Call the fire department from a neighbor’s home or cell phone.

What if my escape route is covered in smoke?
If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke. If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second way out. If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Place a rolled towel underneath the door. Open the window- but do not break it. Signal for help waving a brightly colored cloth or shining a flashlight at the window. If there is a phone in the room, call the fire department and tell them your exact location.

How can I help victims of home fires?
The number of families that the American Red Cross supports in the aftermath of home fires has increased 10 percent since 2000. Your local Red Cross chapter depends on the generous support of community members like you to help our neighbors affected by home fires. You can help victims of home fires by ensuring your local Red Cross is ready to respond. Contact your local Red Cross chapter to make a financial contribution today.

How can I learn more about fire preparedness?
Visit www.redcross.org/homefires or contact your local Red Cross chapter.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Spring Storms and Tornadoes

How can I donate food and/or clothing, toys, etc. to victims of the disaster?
On larger relief operations we serve thousands of meals to victims of disaster and first responders every day. In order to ensure we meet health codes and are as efficient as possible, we are not able to accept donations of food from individuals. If you would like to donate food items, we recommend contacting your local food bank for information. If you’re interested in starting a food drive, it’s best to contact the food bank before you start collecting, so that you’re collecting exactly what is needed so that your donation can make the biggest impact in your community.

Donations like clothing and shoes require a lot of resources to sort, clean and distribute. Since our focus is on meeting the immediate needs of disaster victims, we work with agencies in the community, such as the Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries who are set up to process these types of donations. You can also call 211 for information on where you can take material items you have collected.

Why doesn’t the Red Cross accept donations of clothing and other small items?
Our primary focus after a disaster is getting help to large numbers of people in a short amount of time. We try to focus our workers on that goal and often don’t have the resources that it takes to sort, process, store and transport small donations.

In addition, we want to be consistent in the help we give to disaster victims and cash donations allow us to purchase large quantities of goods that help us do that. Financial donations also help us meet any specific needs a disaster client might have.

Will the Red Cross replace groceries or food lost because of a power outage?
Red Cross feeding services at shelters and through mobile feeding efforts are meant to ensure that no one goes hungry after a disaster. Power outages are often widespread and sometimes affect hundreds of thousands of people. It would be nearly impossible—both logistically and financially—for the Red Cross to replace groceries for that many people.

How can the American people help during this difficult time?
People can help by making a donation to help the thousands of people affected by this disaster. They can donate by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Does my donation really help? What will it be used for?
The donations we receive for Red Cross Disaster Relief are put to good use. 91 cents of every dollar is used to support disaster victims. Any donation, large or small, will help. For example, $3 can provide a comfort kit containing personal hygiene items for someone in a disaster. $6 can cover the cost of a blanket, $10 the cost of a hot meal. A $50 donation can cover the cost of food and shelter for a day, including three meals, blankets, comfort kits and the Red Cross expense of mobilizing them to the disaster area. For $150, someone’s donation can cover the cost of providing food and shelter to a family of four for a day they spend in a shelter.

What is the Red Cross doing to help people affected by these deadly Spring storms?
Red Cross workers are deploying from all over the country, and we are helping people today – and we will be helping them in the weeks ahead as they try to get back on their feet.

Our first priority is to provide food and shelter to the thousands of people whose lives were turned upside down by these storms. We are focused on providing safe shelter, feeding victims and emergency workers, providing mental health and emotional support services, providing basic first aid and health services, and distributing clean-up supplies and comfort items.

This is a severe and widespread disaster affecting a number of states, and many people are depending on the Red Cross and our government partners for assistance. Some areas are taking time to get to because of the destruction and impassible roads.

How does the Red Cross pay for the services it provides?
We rely on the donations of the American people to support our work. Financial contributions to American Red Cross Disaster Relief allow us to serve victims of more than 70,000 disasters a year. Every day, the American Red Cross responds to nearly 200 disasters ranging from house fires to tornadoes and massive hurricanes – each one devastating to the people involved.

I have friends and family in the affected area. Is there any way to find out if they are okay?
The Red Cross Safe and Well secure Web site is a way to find out how loved ones are in a disaster. The people in the affected area can let their loved ones know they are safe by registering as “safe and well” with a telephone number or address. Friends and family outside the disaster area can then search the site for messages from their loved ones.

• To register, people should visit www.redcross.org/safeandwell and click on the “List Yourself or Search Registrants” link under “How to Get Help”.
• People in the affected areas can list themselves as “safe and well” on the site by using a pre-disaster phone number or complete address.
• Disaster victims can also update their Facebook and Twitter status through the Safe and Well Web site.
• From a smart phone, visit www.redcross.org/safeandwell and click on the “List Yourself as Safe and Well” or “Search for friends and family” link.
• From any phone call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and one of our operators can help you register.

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