By Kathryn Dean, Red Cross Volunteer

On a snowy, February day in the late 1990s in Northern Ohio, I was riding in the backseat of my family’s car looking out of the window. It was Super Bowl Sunday, and we were heading to a relative’s house to enjoy an afternoon of food, football (and commercials).

As we wound our way through the neighborhood, I noticed a home’s chimney engulfed in flames! I yelled to my father, who promptly stopped the car and ran to the front door. The homeowner was shocked and extremely grateful, as there were no signs of the fire inside the home. Luckily, it had not yet spread to the roof.

Fires like these can happen suddenly and without warning, and time is of the essence when it comes to recognizing the danger and escaping. Experts say you may have only two minutes or less to get to safety in the event of a fire.

That’s why this year during Fire Prevention Week (October 6-12), the American Red Cross Northern Ohio Region wants you to prepare for the unexpected by creating a fire escape plan for your family and ensuring that your home has working smoke alarms.

Home fire escape plan tips:

• Identify two escape routes for each room in the home, and make sure everyone in the house knows them.
• Smoke inhalation is dangerous. Stay below the smoke. Get low and go!
• Agree on a meeting place outside, away from the home, such as a tree or flagpole. Make sure everyone knows where to meet.
• Get out and stay out. Never go back inside for people, pets, or possessions.
• Talk to your children about fire safety and show them what fire alarms sound like.

Smoke Alarm Safety:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and the basement. Information for requesting a FREE smoke detector can be found HERE.
• Test smoke alarms monthly and replace the batteries at least yearly.
• Replace smoke alarms that are over 10 years old.

Speak to your children about fire safety: Have you met Pedro the Penguin yet? Pedro teaches children in grades K-2 how to be safe in emergencies, including home fires and other local hazards. There are numerous, multi-language resources available online, including storybooks and printables at the link above. Virtual and local in-person, 30-45-minute educational presentations are also available.

Check out the list below for upcoming Pedro and other fire safety events, including Sound the Alarm events in the local area during Fire Safety Week.

Northern Ohio Red Cross – Fire Safety Week local events:

Northeast Ohio Chapter:
North Royalton Elementary School – Prepare with Pedro Presentations October 7 & 8

Western Lake Erie Chapter:
Partnering with Toledo Fire to do a large neighborhood installation on Monday, October 7th.
Tuesday, October 8th we are participating in the Milan, MI Fire Department open house.
Saturday, October 12th we are participating in the Fallen Timbers, Maumee Safety Fair Truck or Treat.

Greater Akron and the Mahoning Valley Chapter:
Brunswick Elementary – Prepare with Pedro Presentation Oct. 10

Heartland, Stark and Muskingum Lakes Chapter:

Malone University Health & Wellness Fair – Wednesday, Oct. 9
New Philadelphia Fire Department open house – Thursday, Oct. 10, 5p-7 p.m. – Station 21 (134 Front St. SE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663)

North Central Ohio Chapter:
Home fire safety visits at Pheasant Run in LaGrange October 12. Smoke alarm installations by appointment.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, Red Cross volunteer

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer