Eyewitness News spoke with St. Albans city officials and first responders who shared valuable fire safety tips. The National Fire Protection Association reports more than 150,000 house fires occur each year, with peak months being December and January. One of the most important safety features is a functioning carbon monoxide detector and smoke alarm. Those increase your chances of surviving a house fire by 50%. They’ll provide them to anybody in St. Albans through a partnership with the American Red Cross.