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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Two in five people say they’re more likely to win the lottery than lose their home in a fire, according to a 2019 national American Red Cross survey.
Yet the odds of dying from exposure to fire or smoke (nearly 1 in 1,500) are greater than winning the lottery (typically 1 in millions).
Because seven people die from home fires each day in the U.S., the Red Cross is working with community partners to prevent deaths and injuries through its Home Fire Campaign.
Everyday Actions Cause Fires
In the survey, 96 percent of U.S. adults said they’ve engaged in everyday activities that can cause home fires. This includes over 70 percent of people who have left the kitchen while cooking, which is the leading cause of home fires.
How to Be Safe
The Red Cross asks people to never leave the kitchen while cooking and to:
• Test your smoke alarms monthly.
• Practice your home fire escape plan twice a year.
More information and free safety resources are at redcross.org/homefires.
Help #EndHomeFires
You can also help people through the Home Fire Campaign, which has installed over 1.6 million free smoke alarms and helped save over 550 lives nationwide since launching in 2014.
• Install free smoke alarms and educate families about fire safety. Volunteers are also needed to help people recover from home fires. Contact your local Red Cross chapter for opportunities.
• Donate to support the Red Cross mission. Your donation can help provide free services for those in need.
Visit redcross.org for more information.
“Help #EndHomeFires and save lives by installing smoke alarms and educating families about fire safety with your local @RedCross through the Home Fire Campaign. http://bit.ly/2Pchmcd”