The American Red Cross and the National Fire Protection Association released results of a survey showing the majority (79 percent) of Americans are concerned about the rising cost of heating their homes, and many will use an alternative heating source to reduce their bills this winter. The survey identified additional behaviors related to appliance maintenance and cooking that could also present home fire hazards this winter.

“As we head into what by all accounts is likely to be a very costly heating season, these survey results and Fire Prevention Week (observed Oct. 5-11) provide a critical opportunity for us to remind people about the things they can do to prevent home fires and keep their families safe and warm this winter/’ said NFPA President James. M. Shannon. “If people use alternative heat sources to reduce energy costs, it is critical they use devices that are new or in good working order, and they turn off units when they go to bed or leave the room.”

“We hope this survey will encourage more people to take the simple steps necessary to protect their families and homes from fire,” said Gail J. McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross.

Last year the Freeborn County Chapter assisted 10 families due to home fires, providing comfort, shelter and aid to help families pick up the pieces.

“Home fires can be just as devastating as any other type of disaster,” said Jeanie Opdahl, chapter director of the Freeborn County Chapter American Red Cross. “The Red Cross is here to help anyone affected by a home fire, but also to provide information that helps people prevent and stay safer in a home fire.”

Heating and Cooking Fires:

According to NFPA reports, cookie and heating are the leading causes of home fires. The survey revealed the majority of Americans are concerned about the rising cost of heating their homes (79 percent), and that 48 percent of households will use an alternative heating source to reduce their bills this winter. Alternative heating sources include portable space heaters, stoves, ovens and fireplaces. A third (36 percent) of people with fireplaces reported they never cleaned or inspected their chimneys.

The survey also found 23 percent of respondents did not consider it essential to make sure someone is home when food is cooking on the stove.

Smoke Alarms and Fire Escape Plans:

Respondents also revealed another unsafe behavior, which is disabling (37 percent) smoke alarms when they go off in a non-testing situation. More than half (53 percent) of the households surveyed have not taken any of three common actions in most home fire escape plans, which includes discussing with family members how to get out of the home, deciding on an outdoor meeting place and practicing the plan.

NFPA and the American Red Cross offer these and other safety tips:

Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you must leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.

Give space heaters space by keeping them at least 3 feet from anything that can burn. Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.

For additional fire safety tips visit www.firepreventionweek.org or www.redcross.org/homefires.