Sioux Falls Fire Prevention Campaign Scheduled for Saturday

Tony Burke of the American Red Cross says a prevention and preparedness initiative to help protect against home fires in the Hayward neighborhood will take place on Saturday.

"We are going to go door to door just canvassing. We're not actually going in the homes this year. But, we're going to make sure the residents will be able to make appointments with Sioux Falls Fire Rescue. The Red Cross will support the initiative over the next couple of months. We will follow up and do in house visits checking smoke alarms, do blood pressure checks and teach about escape plans."

Burke says fire fatalities nationally are on the increase.

"For the first time in over ten years (even though fires are down), we have had an increase of 15.7 percent fire fatality increase. That's a big increase in one year. It's why we're pushing this initiative."

This is the third home fire campaign in Sioux Falls in the past two years to protect against home fire deaths and injuries.