UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - About two dozen children at the Reese Road Elementary School, in Frankfort, were taught fire prevention Friday. Firefighters say instilling fire preparedness at this age is key, because so many people and parents put it on the back burner at home.

"If there is a fatality or loss of life due to the lack of smoke alarms that is really tragic," said Frankfort Fire Chief Charles Conigliaro.

Officials at the Mohawk Valley Chapter of the Red Cross say they have responded to 23 fires since July 1, 2009 which is a 100 percent increase in the number of fires from the previous summer, said Andria Delisle-Heath of the Red Cross.

Heath says the Red Cross has gone through 40% of their budget for the current year. However, she says, they will still respond and assist when called. "I am getting texts, Facebook messages, phone calls from friends and family neighbors, and people who know I am part of the Red Cross,'What is going on?', they say with an exclamation in all capital letters, this is just crazy." said Heath.

Both the Red Cross, and firefighters say many disasters are unavoidable, but not all. Some simple tips such as keeping your smoke detectors clean and filled with fresh batteries could help a small situation from spreading out of control.

For other tips on how to be better prepared you can visit the Red Cross website at www.redcrossmv.org.