Whether you’ve experienced a home fire and need help now or want to do all you can to prevent a fire from occurring, the following organizations will give you the advice and information you need.
American Red Cross – Home Fire Safety
This section has information on what to do before, during, and after a fire, while the Join the Home Fire Campaign has ways to get involved in fire safety. Go here for Red Cross assistance and here to find open shelters. Red Cross volunteers and staff work to deliver vital services and training, providing relief and support to those in crisis and helping the community to be prepared to respond in emergencies.
Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification
Click on Need A Professional Cleaning Or Restoration Expert? to find an IICRC-certified professional. The IICRC is the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, a nonprofit organization for the cleaning and restoration industry.
Insurance Information Institute — Facts + Statistics: Fire
This section has research and data on the causes and costs of home fires. The site also has Be Fire Smart: Tips for High-Rise Apartment Dwellers and Be Fire Smart: Tips for Travelers. For nearly 60 years, the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) has been the leading independent source of objective information, insight, analysis and referral on insurance for a wide range of audiences, including consumers, insurance professionals, the media, government and regulatory organizations, educational institutions and students.
National Association of State Fire Marshals
Click on NASFM News for tips on fire and other safety-related information. The site includes links to each State Fire Marshal’s Office webpage and links to fire organizations. The National Association of State Fire Marshals comprises the most senior fire officials in the United States.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) – Public Education
This section covers a wide range of fire-related information and resources, including the Safety Tip Sheets page with downloadable tip sheets on a variety of fire and life safety topics. Sparky is a site specifically for children with videos, games, apps and activities. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global nonprofit organization, established in 1896, devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards.
Ready.gov — Home Fires
This page explains how to prepare for a home fire, what actions to take if a home fire occurs and what to do to prevent a home fire. Launched in February 2003, Ready.gov is a national public service campaign designed to educate and empower the American people to prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters. The goal of the campaign is to promote preparedness through public involvement.
Restoration Industry Association
Click on Certification>Find A Certified Professional to find a professional in your state. The Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration (ASCR) is the oldest and largest trade association for the cleaning and restoration industry.
Salvation Army
Click on Locations to find a Salvation Army chapter nearest you. The Salvation Army exists to meet human need where, when and how it can. Its disaster relief services focus on seven core services: training, food service, emotional and spiritual care, emergency communications, disaster social services, donations management and recovery.
Smokey The Bear — Backyard Debris Burning
This page has tips on how to burn backyard debris safely to avoid causing wildfires.
StaySafe.org
Click on Safety Resource Center>Home Safety for fire safety articles as well as the link to the Fire Safety for Kids section. StaySafe.org is a resource hub for learning more about hazards around your house or apartment, with data and recommendations to help you keep your home and your family safe.
U.S. Fire Administration — Fire-Safe Seniors program
The Fire-Safe Seniors program helps you plan and implement fire safety interventions for the high-risk group of older adults. It can be used by organizations that serve seniors at the national, state or community level, such as fire departments, meal delivery programs, home companion groups, senior center associations, and many other groups. The site includes free Fire-Safe Seniors program toolkit and handouts.
U.S. Fire Administration — Keeping Kids Safe From Fire
Information, a digital media library and free publications including Home Fire Safety Tips For New Parents and other brochures to share with children about fire safety. It also includes outreach materials from other organizations.
Photo Credit: Andrew Gaines