October is Fire Prevention Awareness Month, and the American Red Cross offers tips to keep safe, according to a release.
The biggest disaster threat in the United States is home fires, but most can be prevented.
[ >> Fire safety: 4 simple changes that can save lives ]
The Red Cross recommends two easy steps to help protect your home and to increase your chances of surviving a fire, read the release.
Create and practice a fire escape plan:
- Home fire plans should include at least two ways to escape from every room of your home
- Select a meeting spot at a safe distance from your home where family members can meet after a fire
- Discuss the plan with everyone in the household and practice it at least twice per year
Install and maintain smoke alarms:
- Place smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms
- Test smoke alarms once per month
- Change batteries at least once per year
- Never disable a smoke alarm
To have free smoke alarms installed, contact the Red Cross.