The American Red Cross is urging Missourians to follow fire safety tips after an uptick in fatal fires over the winter.
The Red Cross has responded to 20 fatal fires in Missouri since July 1, 2019. Fifteen of those fires happened between November 2019 and January.
“The Red Cross is typically called to more fatal fires in the winter, and unfortunately, that’s what we have seen the past three months in Missouri,” said Chris Harmon, Regional Disaster Officer for the American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas in a press release. “The majority of these fatal fire responses have occurred just since November 1, with several of them affecting children and individuals age 60 and over.”
Harmon said two things drastically reduce fatal fires: working smoke alarms and having a family escape plan.