The American Red Cross of Wisconsin is urging families to take precautions to prevent home fires during Fire Prevention Week, which runs through October 10th.
Since the beginning of this year, Red Cross disaster teams in Wisconsin have responded to 606 home fires, helping hundreds of people recover.
The Red Cross recommends five key safety steps: create and practice a home fire escape plan twice a year, install smoke alarms on every level of the home and test them monthly, never leave cooking unattended, keep flammable items at least three feet from heat sources, and turn off space heaters when leaving a room or going to sleep.
Red Cross officials say home fires remain the most common disaster they respond to, but simple precautions and a practiced escape plan can help save lives.
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