Red Cross promotes safe heating tips amid rise in cold-season house fires

Home heating safety: steps to prevent fires this winter

As temperatures fall across the United States, the American Red Cross is urging families to follow essential safety measures when heating their homes.

According to Rodrigo Carrillo, Regional Disaster Officer for the Illinois Red Cross: “Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires in this country.

“But there are steps people can take to avoid having this happen to them.

“Help keep your family safe by providing at least three feet of space around all heating equipment, testing your smoke alarms monthly, and practicing your two-minute home fire escape plan.”

Home fires make up the majority of the 60,000-plus disasters the Red Cross responds to annually.

These incidents increase by 30% during colder months, highlighting the importance of prevention measures.

Tips for heating your home safely this winter

Space heaters are among the most common causes of home heating fires, as reported by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

The Red Cross provides these tips to reduce the risk:

• Use space heaters only on hard, nonflammable surfaces, avoiding rugs, carpets, bedding, and drapes.
• Never leave a space heater unattended, and unplug it directly from an outlet—not an extension cord.
• Maintain a three-foot clearance around heating equipment and keep children and pets at a safe distance.
• Avoid using cooking ranges or ovens to heat your home.
• Always extinguish embers in fireplaces before leaving the house or going to bed.
• Use a fire screen to contain embers.
• Schedule annual professional inspections for furnaces, chimneys, and wood or coal stoves.

Fire prevention beyond heating safety

To protect your household from fire hazards year-round, the Red Cross recommends testing smoke alarms monthly and rehearsing a home fire escape plan.

The goal is to ensure all family members can evacuate within two minutes—often the critical window for escaping a fire.

Practicing these safety measures is vital to reduce risks and increase preparedness for emergencies.

Recent fire responses highlight ongoing needs

Over the past week, American Red Cross volunteers responded to 19 home fires across Chicago and neighboring communities, including Posen, Blue Island, Calumet Park, St. Charles, and Harvey.

These efforts assisted 72 individuals with essential support, including basic needs supplies, health and mental health services, and personalized recovery guidance.

Individuals needing assistance after a fire or local disaster are encouraged to contact the Red Cross at 800-Red Cross.

Red Cross promotes safe heating tips amid rise in cold-season house fires: Summary

The American Red Cross emphasizes the importance of safe heating practices to prevent home fires, particularly as incidents rise by 30% during colder months.

Key recommendations include keeping a three-foot safety zone around heaters, unplugging space heaters directly from outlets, and extinguishing fireplace embers before bedtime.

Recent responses by the Red Cross to 19 fires across the Chicago area provided aid to 72 individuals, demonstrating the continued need for community safety and support during winter months.

For more resources, visit redcross.org/fire.