Red Cross Responding to More House Fires in Colder Weather
Cold temperatures mean an increase in the chance for house fires.
And according to the Northeast Georgia Chapter of the American Red Cross, house fires have been on the rise this winter because of the below-normal temperatures.
“Every year in Georgia, home fires are the single most common disaster threat,” said Joni Smith, Executive Director of Northeast Georgia Chapter of American Red Cross. “The Northeast Georgia chapter responded to 120 home fires last year in 12 counties and provided 429 residents with immediate emergency assistance. So far in 2014, we have responded to 18 fires since January 1st. It’s vital for all families to plan for a potential fire, and the good news is that it won’t require a lot of expensive equipment or training,” said Smith.
In Franklin County, authorities have responded to several house fires since November. The most recent, on January 12th, when fire destroyed a home on SR198. In Hart County, a toddler was killed in a house fire in December that authorities believe was caused by a space heater set too close to bedding.
Smith said there are some simple precautions everyone can take during the cold winter months to avoid a house fire.
First, keep an eye on what you fry. Many house fires are started by forgotten frying pans with grease that were left to burn on the stove. The Red Cross advises to keep a pan lid or a cookie sheet nearby and use it to cover the pan if it catches on fire. Also make sure children and pets stay well away from a stove when you’re cooking.
Other tips include making a plan in the event of a house fire. The Red Cross recommends that households develop a fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year with everyone who lives in the home. People should know two ways to escape from every room and designate a place to meet outside the home in case of a fire.
Also install smoke alarms and make sure they are working at all times.
Finally, you can download the Red Cross First Aid App to get access to life-saving information on what to do for common, everyday first aid emergencies including burns. The app is available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play for Android.