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Groups Work To Prevent Fatal Apartment Fires

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Published: January 12, 2010

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- So far in 2010, nine people have died around the state in house fires.

In the midst of the fatal fires, local groups are trying to save lives.

Michael Carroll is the CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus and said that too often, people don't think about the tragedies.

"I hope the night that people see this story, they sit down and talk with their families," Carroll said. "I don't judge people, they're busy and with all disasters people have a sense of it will happen to them. But it won't happen to me."

The organization has partnered for the first time ever with the Columbus Apartment Association to address that concern.

Local property manager Miami Ratcliff said her maintenance crews encounter fire hazards from time to time.

"A lot of times, if the (smoke detector's) battery is going dead, people will just take it out, so they don't have to listen to it," Ratcliff said.

Experts recommend apartment residents conduct checks before signing a lease at a complex.

The Red Cross started working with apartment complex managers around the area, in hopes of saving lives.

To learn more about the program, call 614-488-2115 or go to http://www.caahq.com/

Also, get fire prevention and safety tips here: http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.86f46a12f382290517a8f210b80f78a0/?vgnextoid=5e06a5f0f013b110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default

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