NewAfrica / Depositphotos.com
December 1, 2025 -American Red Cross is urging families to take multiple steps in safely heating their home. Home Fires account for most of the disasters they respond to each year, and house fire response time is 30% higher during cold months than warm months.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has stated that most house fires are caused by space heaters.
● If a space heater is necessary, never leave it running without supervision. Set it on a hard, level and nonflammable surface — like a ceramic tile floor — and avoid placing it on carpets, rugs, or near bedding and curtains.
● Always plug the space heater directly into a wall outlet, not an extension cord. Turn it off each time you leave the room or go to sleep.
● Maintain at least a three-foot distance between heating equipment and anything that can burn, including children and pets.
● Do not use your cooking oven or stove as a heat source.
● Never leave a fireplace fire unattended. Be sure all embers are completely out before you leave the house or go to bed. Use a glass or metal screen to keep embers contained.
● Have a professional inspect furnaces, chimneys, fireplaces, and wood or coal stoves every year, and clean them if needed.
To keep your family safe throughout the year, test smoke alarms every month and practice your home fire escape plan until everyone can get out in under two minutes — the typical amount of time available to escape a burning home.
