“America’s Biggest Disaster Threat”

The American Red Cross states that house fires are America’s biggest disaster threat. They respond to 180 home fires per day.

Here are some facts from their site about home fires:

1. Of all the disasters the Red Cross responded to, 93% of those were fire-related.
2. 80% of people living in the U.S. do not realize that home fires are the most common type of disaster in the country.
3. Someone dies from a home fire about every 3.5 hours.
4. Smoke alarms and sprinklers cut the risk of one dying in a home fire by 82%.
5. Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires; heating fires are the second.
6. Smoking is the #1 cause of home fire deaths.

Check out the American Red Cross’ site for tips about how to make your home fire safe, plan escape routes, and escape safely.

Check out this recovery site to learn how to protect your home from a fire.