With Fire Prevention Week running Oct. 4-10, the American Red Cross is urging St. Lawrence County residents to take steps to prevent home fires and protect their families.

Cooking and home heating are among the leading causes of home fires. Since the beginning of 2026, disaster response teams with the Red Cross Eastern New York Region have responded to nearly 500 home fires.

“Here in Eastern New York, our disaster teams have responded to nearly 500 fires since the beginning of 2026,” said Kevin Coffey, the region’s chief executive officer. He said residents can take steps to prevent fires and help keep household members safe in an emergency.

The Red Cross recommends the following precautions:

• Check smoke alarms
• Smoke alarms can nearly halve the risk of dying in a home fire. 
• Install smoke alarms on every level of the home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas.
• Test alarms monthly and replace batteries at least once a year if required by the model.
• Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years old or older, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Identify two exits from every room.
• Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.

Make and practice an escape plan

Residents may have less than two minutes to escape a burning home, making it important to plan ahead.

The Red Cross recommends that households:

• Create a fire escape plan and practice it twice a year.
• Make sure everyone knows two ways out of each room.
• Choose an outdoor meeting place a safe distance from the home, such as a neighbor’s house or a designated landmark.
• Get out and stay out during a fire. Never re-enter a burning home for people, pets or belongings.
• Time fire drills to determine how quickly everyone can escape.

If a fire starts, get out safely and call 911.

The Red Cross encourages families to use Fire Prevention Week as an opportunity to review their smoke alarms and practice their escape plans.