Red Cross says check your smoke-alarm batteries

Staff report

LIBERTY

The Northeast Ohio Region of the American Red Cross is urging families in Northeast Ohio to check their smoke alarms and to follow fire-prevention tips.

“Northeast Ohio has had several fire deaths, some due to nonworking smoke alarms,” said Karen Conklin, executive director of the Mahoning Valley Red Cross. “Northeast Ohio residents can take simple actions to reduce the risk of a home fire tragedy by installing and maintaining a smoke alarm on every level of their home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.”

Additional recommendations include checking smoke alarms monthly by pushing the test button; changing batteries in alarms at least once a year; installing a new battery immediately if an alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low; teaching children what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do when they hear it; and never disabling a smoke alarm.

The Red Cross recommends that families create and practice a home fire-escape plan that includes at least two escape routes for every room in the home. Families should choose a convenient meeting place outside of the home and practice their escape plan at least twice a year.

Participants who have checked their alarms are urged to visit the Red Cross facebook page at www.facebook.com/RedCrossMahoningValley and share the “I checked my smoke detector” icon.

For fire safety and preparedness information, visit www.redcross.org/homefires.