The American Red Cross Indiana Region is encouraging Hoosiers to review their home fire safety plans during Fire Prevention Week.

The Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters nationwide each year, with home fires accounting for most of those emergencies.

Officials say families may have less than two minutes to escape after a fire starts. The organization recommends creating and practicing a home escape plan at least twice a year. Everyone in the household should know two ways out of each room and have a designated outdoor meeting place.

Once outside, residents should remain outside and call 911 rather than returning for people, pets or belongings.

Working smoke alarms are another important part of fire safety. The Red Cross recommends installing alarms on every level of the home and inside and outside sleeping areas. Alarms should be tested monthly, and batteries should be replaced as needed. Smoke alarms that are 10 years old or older should generally be replaced according to manufacturer instructions.

The Red Cross also recommends taking precautions in the kitchen, where cooking is the leading cause of home fires. Food should never be left unattended on the stove, and flammable items such as towels, oven mitts and food packaging should be kept away from heat sources.

With colder weather approaching, residents are also urged to use heating equipment carefully. Space heaters should be kept at least three feet from anything that can burn and should be plugged directly into wall outlets rather than extension cords. They should also be turned off when leaving a room or going to sleep.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, a home fire occurred about every 23 seconds in the United States in 2024. The Red Cross is urging families to use Fire Prevention Week to check smoke alarms, review escape plans and identify potential fire hazards around their homes.