By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
The American Red Cross has assisted over 130 people who have been victims of home fires in the region.
Last year, the Red Cross responded to approximately 40 fires in the greater Kansas City and Northwest Missouri area.
Red Cross spokeswoman Angie Springs says as the temperatures drop, sources of home heat can become dangerous hazards.
"As the weather gets colder people turn to a lot of different ways to provide that heating source for their home," Springs tells St. Joseph Post "So whether that is a fireplace or maybe it is running a space heater, those sorts of things when not used properly can be a fire hazard."
The American Red Cross is normally dispatched to assist residents in house fires by local fire departments, providing victims with food immediately, a temporary place to stay, and assistance in recovery.
Springs reminds everyone to be sure your smoke alarms are working and that you have a plan if a fire breaks out in your home.
"Make sure that your testing those batteries and make sure that your family has a plan in the event that you do have a home fire," Springs says "You know we all grow up going to school, practicing those fire drills, we need to prepare our family just like we would do during the days of when we were in school."
Springs adds that other steps to help prevent fires in the home includes making sure you have your space heater at least three feet away from other objects and making sure you get your fireplaces professionally checked.
Springs says that the Red Cross stresses the importance of preparedness.
"I think the thing that we just have to keep in mind is that there's no better time then now to be prepared it's not to late," Springs says "So if you haven't checked your smoke alarm, do that now, if you haven't practiced your family preparedness plan and maybe a fire drill in your home, do that now, make sure your family has a plan."
Springs says a little preparation now can prevent disaster later.