ALLENTOWN, Pa. - House fires claim seven lives every day in the U.S., but the American Red Cross and the Allentown Fire Department have been working hard to help change those statistics.
Residents say those efforts are paying off.
"It's a great, great thing," said Jack Reyher, who took advantage of the "Sound the Alarm" program earlier this year to get free smoke detectors installed in his home on the city's east side.
- Earlier this year, the Allentown Fire Department joined volunteers from the American Red Cross to install smoke detectors in homes
- The installations were free as part of the "Sound the Alarm" program
- Allentown will honor its firefighters on Monday, days after new data showed the largest number of home fire deaths in the U.S. since 2007, reflecting a 14-year high
A resident in Allentown's Midway Manor neighborhood, Reyher heard about a partnership between the city's fire department and the Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter. It's all part of a larger nationwide effort to install free smoke detectors in homes and raise awareness about fire safety.
Earlier this year, city fire officials and Red Cross volunteers went door-to-door in parts of Jordan Heights and the 8th Ward installing free smoke alarms and sharing safety information.
Midway Manor wasn't part of the program that day, but Reyher made a phone call and volunteers were dispatched to his home.
"Two guys came in and explained exactly what they were going to do room-to-room," Reyher said. "I had some alarms, but you know that you ignore them. You don't keep them active over a period of time like you should. So they put them in and they're powered now for 10 years."
Home fire deaths hit 14-year high
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week, which runs from Oct. 9-15. This year's campaign, "Fire won't wait. Plan your escape," is meant to educate everyone about important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires.
The timing is critical, with the latest Fire Loss in the U.S. report released by the NFPA showing the largest number of home fire deaths in the U.S. since 2007, reflecting a 14-year high.
According to the report, people are more likely to die in a reported home fire today than in 1980.
“While we’ve made great strides in reducing the public’s risk to fire on many fronts, the latest number of home fire deaths reinforces that today’s home fires present real challenges,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of the Outreach and Advocacy division at NFPA, in a press release.
"Educating the public about the increased speed at which today’s home fires grow, along with the importance of knowing how to escape quickly and safely, is critical to reducing that risk."Lorraine Carli
“Educating the public about the increased speed at which today’s home fires grow, along with the importance of knowing how to escape quickly and safely, is critical to reducing that risk," Carli said.
Today, homes burn faster than ever, giving occupants as little as two minutes or less to safely escape a home fire. The NFPA says multiple factors contribute to the small window of escape time, including the way newer homes are constructed and the fact that modern home furnishings are often made with synthetic materials that burn faster and generate toxic smoke.
Allentown to honor firefighters, highlight fire safety
The Allentown Fire Department will hold an award ceremony and memorial service on Oct. 10, honoring firefighters for their bravery and dedication.
The event will take place at 10 a.m. at the Scottish Rite Cathedral at 1533 Hamilton Street, and it will highlight October as Fire Prevention Month.
It comes weeks after a fire broke out in a home on the 700 block of E. Tilghman Street. An 87-year-old woman rescued from the fire later succumbed to her injuries, the Lehigh County Coroner's Office said.
Pennsylvania had more deadly house fires than any other state last year, and appears on its way to claiming that distinction again.
At least 123 people have died in fires across the state this year, according to data compiled by the U.S. Fire Administration based on media reports. At least nine of those deaths have occurred in the greater Lehigh Valley area, including two in Allentown.
