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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Springfield Fire Department announced a 10-year low in residential fires in Springfield. The fire chief attributes the decrease in residential fires partially to Project RED Zone, their community risk reduction campaign.

In 2017 the department recorded 218 home fires, down 70 from 288 in 2008.

The department said Project RED Zone is their “most aggressive” campaign to date.

The department also recorded 12 fire-related injuries, down eight from 20 in 2009.

Project RED Zone began in April and aimed the campaign at reducing home fires, fire-related injuries and deaths in the community.

“The goal of Project RED Zone is to provide residents with the tools and resources they need to proactively reduce their risk of fire, and to prevent, prepare for and properly respond should a fire occur,” he said. “Our hope is that with the help of Project RED Zone and the support of the community, we will continue to see improvements so that by the end of 2018, not one citizen dies or is injured as a result of a fire.”

Firefighters canvassed neighborhoods in Springfield with the highest incidence of fires as part of the project. According to the press release, firefighters talked to residents about fire safety, tested smoke alarms, and installed new alarms or batteries in homes at no charge during the canvasses.

Project RED Zone is funded by federal grant dollars, the American Red Cross and Safe Kids Springfield.

However, Pennington said he recognizes that their job is not done.

Only 52 percent of homes where fires occurred had smoke alarms installed and of the smoke alarms installed only 55 percent were operational.

“We still have work ahead of us to ensure that every home in Springfield has working smoke alarms,” Pennington said.

Cooking fires, the leading cause of home fires in Springfield, fell 10 percent in 2017. Also, electrical fires fell 13 percent.

However, home fires caused by careless smoking and home heating increased, according to the release.

The department says home fires can be prevented by following basic fire safety tips.