The Lubbock Red Cross said in the past 72 hours, seven different house fires have displaced 32 people across the South Plains.
“It always picks up this time of year because of heating. That is one of the main causes of house fires,” Capt. Kevin Ivy, with Lubbock Fire Rescue, said.
Lubbock Fire and the Red Cross have worked together to install smoke detectors for free in homes in and around Lubbock.
“In Lubbock, right now, there are no documented cases of a fire-related death in a home that had a smoke detector,” Ivy said.
The Red Cross said another thing families need to do is have an escape plan.
“Make sure you have prepared your home and your family in case of a fire,” Jerri Beth Dunlap, disaster program manager for the Red Cross, said.
If you would like a free smoke detector installed in your home, please contact the Red Cross at 806-765-8534 or Lubbock Fire.