Red Cross urges heating safety as colder weather increases home fire risks; responds to 7,500+ fires since September 1
As colder weather settles in across the region, the American Red Cross is urging families to take precautions when turning their heat back on — a seasonal shift that significantly increases the risk of home fires.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires, and space heaters account for nearly 30% of those incidents. Across the United States, emergency personnel respond to a fire approximately every 22 seconds, totaling about 1.5 million fires each year.
Since September 1, the Red Cross has responded to more than 7,500 home fires, assisting over 30,000 people nationwide through its Disaster Action Teams (DAT).
“With heating systems being turned back on, we want families to take simple, life-saving precautions,” the Red Cross said in a statement. “Most home fires can be prevented by following basic safety guidelines.”
Heating Safety Tips
The Red Cross urges residents to keep at least three feet of space around all heating equipment and never leave space heaters unattended. Additional safety recommendations include:
- Place space heaters on level, hard, nonflammable surfaces like tile floors, away from rugs, bedding, and curtains.
- Plug heaters directly into wall outlets — never into extension cords — and turn them off before leaving a room or going to sleep.
- Never use a stove or oven to heat your home.
- Always extinguish fireplace embers before leaving or going to bed, and use a glass or metal screen to contain sparks.
- Have furnaces, chimneys, and wood or coal stoves inspected annually by a professional.
Prevent Home Fire Tragedies
Every second counts when a home fire occurs. The Red Cross advises households to:
- Test smoke alarms monthly and replace them every 10 years.
- Create and practice a fire escape plan with at least two exits from each room.
- Designate a meeting place outside the home where everyone can gather safely.
Families who cannot afford or install smoke alarms may qualify for free assistance through the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has saved at least 2,508 lives since launching in 2014.
For more fire safety information, visit redcross.org/fire. You can also download the Red Cross First Aid and Emergency apps for fire safety tips, weather alerts, and guidance during emergencies.
