ROGERS (KFSM) - Arkansas leads the nation in fire deaths based on per-capita numbers, according to the American Red Cross.
Rick Harvey from the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of American Red Cross said that stat causes concern. "It's something that we are going to work very hard to bring down," he said.
The American Red Cross is working to reduce deaths and injuries caused by fires by 25% over the next five years. They are calling it the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign.
"If we can go into homes and partner with fire departments to make sure people have working smoke detectors, are educated and have a fire plan with their family, than we can prevent these fatalities," Harvey said.
The American Red Cross Northwest Arkansas Chapter is teaming up with the Rogers Fire Department this weekend to install free smoke detectors in homes and talk to families about fire safety.
"We've seen a lot of injuries in the half decade or so that I've been fire chief in Rogers that are associated with people taking matters into their own hands," said Chief Tom Jenkins of the Rogers Fire Department. "When your home is on fire that's time to let your tax money do some work and call the fire department, and let us get there and do our job."
Harvey said the American Red Cross hopes through this campaign they will save lives if they "can prevent one fatality from happening, than it's been a successful campaign."
Officials said Arkansas ranks high in fire deaths, because the state has a large number of people in poverty, and they tend to heat their homes in unsafe ways.