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Safety Tips
Fire Safety

The Red Cross works in the community to teach people how to prevent a fatal fire and what to do if they are suddenly faced with a fire.

The Red Cross offers a free smoke alarm program to help reduce injury, death and property loss caused by fire. It targets homeowners who have hardships affording or installing the alarms. Trained Red Cross volunteers can install the alarms and discuss fire safety with members of a household. This program is sponsored by State Farm Insurance. For more information, please call the Red Cross at 816-841-5242.

Install and Maintain Smoke Alarm
  • At least one smoke alarm should be on each level of your home.
  • At least one should be outside each sleeping area.
  • Test alarms once a month.
  • Clean any dust or cobwebs from the alarm monthly.
  • Batteries should be changed at least once a year.
  • Replace your smoke alarm every 10 years.

Plan and Practice Exit Drills
  • Plan an escape route with two ways out of every room in case flames or smoke block one route.
  • Keep in mind any special provisions needed for infants, the elderly and the physically challenged.
  • Establish a place outside where everyone will gather after escaping the house.

Stop, Drop and Roll
  • If your clothing catches fire, stop wherever you are, drop to the floor or ground and roll over and over to smother the flames. Protect your face by covering it with your hands.

Crawl Low
  • Crawl low in smoke, moving on hands and knees (Smoke rises, so cleaner air is near the floor.)

Smokers Need Watchers
  • Make sure smokers extinguish cigarettes in deep, sturdy ashtrays.
  • Check under sofa and chair cushions for cigarette butts before going to bed.
  • Never smoke in bed or when drowsy and/or medicated.

Space Heaters
  • Use portable heaters in well-ventilated rooms only.
  • Keep blankets, clothing, curtains, furniture and anything that could get hot and catch on fire at least three feet way from all heat sources.
  • Keep small children away from heaters.
  • Turn heaters off when going to bed or when leaving home.

Practice Safety with Electricity
  • If an appliance gives off smoke or a burning odor, unplug it immediately and have it checked.
  • Replace frayed or broken cords.
  • Do not put extension cords under rugs or in other places where they may be stepped on or broken.

Careful Cooking
  • Pay complete attention when cooking.
  • Keep young children out of the way.
  • If grease catches fire, slide a lid over the pan to smother the fire and turn off the burner.
  • Never throw water or anything else onto a grease fire.
  • Turn pot handles inward so they can’t be accidentally tipped over.

A Match is a Tool
  • Matches and lighters are tools for adults.
  • Keep them up high, away from children, preferably in a locked cabinet.
  • Teach children to tell an adult right away if they find a match or see someone playing with fire, matches or lighters.

Email the Red Cross for more information regarding fire safety tips at info@kcredcross.org.
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American Red Cross
Greater Kansas City Chapter
211 W. Armour Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64111 USA		         Phone 816-931-8400
Fax 816-531-7306		 United Way Member Agency

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