Nationally, the number of home fires the Red Cross responds to is up 10 percent since the year 2000. Alarmingly, only 26 percent of families have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan, according to a May 2006 poll conducted by ORC International on behalf of the Red Cross.

"Our Chapter responds to a residential fire every 42.5 hours," said Carol Dunn, community disaster educator for the American Red Cross serving King & Kitsap Counties. "It is important to take the steps to make your family and home safer.

"In addition to having working smoke alarms, one of the easiest ways you can prepare is to develop and practice a home fire escape plan so that every family member can escape quickly and safely," continued Dunn.

The American Red Cross offers the following recommendations regarding fire escape plans: