Oct 8, 2009 2 min read

With cold weather approaching and the risk of residential fires increasing, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter is warning area residents to be extra cautious when using electric heaters to heat the home or plugging multiple appliances into the same outlet. During National Fire Prevention Week, which runs through Saturday, the Red Cross is trying to educate residents across the region about house fires.

According to Red Cross officials, the organization is called to a fire once every 29 hours in Allegheny, Greene, Washington and Fayette counties, noting that fires are the most common incident fielded by Red Cross employees.

“Families can help to prevent home fires by following a few simple fire safety tips,” Mike Adametz, director of emergency services with the local Red Cross, stated in a press release.

“Home fires are serious and can cause serious damage, but knowing the fire safety tips can save a life.”

Officials said simple things like having smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and emergency kits inside the home can help reduce the risk of house fires and the severity of a residential blaze.

Officials said that residents should have a plan to escape from every room of a home and also select a meeting spot at a safe distance from the residence where family members can go after escaping.

Officials said area residents should check appliances to make sure that they are working property. Residents are also warned to avoid using space heaters when possible.

If space heaters are being used inside the home, Red Cross officials cautioned that they should be positioned away from furniture and other flammable materials.