During Fire Prevention Week (October 5-11), the American Red Cross of Illinois reminds every one of the dangers of home fires, which claim seven lives every day in the U.S. To help protect your household, test your smoke alarms each month and practice your escape plan until everyone can get out in less than two minutes. Tips for creating your home fire escape plan and practicing your 2-minute drill:

• Everyone in your household should know two ways to escape from each room in your home.

• Smoke is dangerous. Get low and go!

• Decide where to meet once you get outside. Select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as a neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone knows to meet.

• Get out and stay out. Never go back inside for people, pets or things.

• If a fire starts, you may have less than two minutes to get to safety. Time your fire drill and find out: what’s your escape time?

To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit redcross.org/homefires.