Survey Finds Concerns About Economy May Increase Likelihood of Home Fires

Business Wire, Oct 6, 2008

Fire Prevention Week Survey Shows Nearly Half of Americans Planning to Use Alternative Heating Sources This Winter; Make Sure Your Home Has a Working Fire Alarm

CLEVELAND -- The American Red Cross and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) released results of a survey showing that 79% of Americans are concerned about the rising cost of heating their homes, and many will use an alternative heating source to reduce their bills this winter. The survey identified additional behaviors related to appliance maintenance and cooking that could also present home fire hazards this winter. This year, Fire Prevention Week is October 5 - 11 -- Prevent Home Fires!

The American Red Cross of Greater Cleveland wants Cleveland residents to be aware of Operation Save-A-Life, a program which supplies free smoke alarms and batteries to eligible people in Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Euclid and South Euclid.

To raise awareness of Operation Save-A-Life, volunteers and staff from the Red Cross will do a neighborhood walk-through on Tuesday, October 7(th) in Cleveland's Ward 14 to install free smoke alarms and batteries. The walk will kick off at the intersection of West 25(th) and Erin at 10:30 a.m.

The smoke alarms will be installed by Cleveland firefighters at no cost to residents. Alarms for this event were funded by a grant from the Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation.

Last year the Greater Cleveland Red Cross installed or distributed 5109 smoke alarms.

"Home fires are devastating," Mary-Alice Frank, CEO of the Greater Cleveland Red Cross. "The Red Cross is here to help anyone affected by a home fire, but also to provide information that helps people prevent and stay safer in a home fire. We encourage people to ensure they have working smoke alarms throughout their house or apartment."

For more information on Operation Save-A-Life, and to find out if you qualify for a free smoke alarm and batteries, call the following:

Cleveland: 216.361.5535

Cleveland Hts. : 216.291.2291

Euclid: 216.289.8425

South Euclid: 216.691.4273

Heating and Cooking Fires:

According to NFPA reports, cooking and heating are the leading causes of home fires. The survey revealed the majority of Americans are concerned about the rising cost of heating their homes (79%), and that 48% of households will use an alternative heating source to reduce their bills this winter. Alternative heating sources include portable space heaters, stoves, ovens and fireplaces. A third (36%) of people with fireplaces reported they never cleaned or inspected their chimneys. The survey also found 23% of respondents did not consider it essential to make sure someone is home when food is cooking on the stove.

Smoke Alarms and Fire Escape Plans:

Respondents also revealed another unsafe behavior, which is disabling (37%) smoke alarms when they go off in a non-testing situation. More than half (53%) of the households surveyed have not taken any of three common actions in most home fire escape plans, which includes discussing with family members how to get out of the home, deciding on an outdoor meeting place and practicing the plan.

NFPA and the American Red Cross offer these and other safety tips:

* Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you must leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.

* Give space heaters space by keeping them at least 3 feet from anything that can burn. Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.

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

The American Red Cross of Greater Cleveland helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies by providing shelter, food, clothing and mental health counseling to families affected by disasters in Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lake counties. All disaster relief is free and is made possible by generous donations from the American people. For more information regarding ways in which you can support the American Red Cross of Greater Cleveland, log on to www.redcross-cleveland.org.