Red Cross, Baltimore fire officials launch holiday home fire safety campaign

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — As the holiday season approaches, when home fires spike, the Baltimore City Fire Department and the Red Cross of Central Maryland have launched a new home fire safety campaign to help families prevent tragedies.

The campaign includes a social media video series focused on simple, practical steps residents can take as temperatures drop and people cook more, use home heating equipment and decorate for the holidays.

Cooking and home heating equipment are among the leading causes of home fires, and the Red Cross says it helps one in five people after home fires during the holiday months.

Home fires are the most frequent emergency that our disaster response team is called for here in Baltimore. Year after year, the Red Cross and our local fire department partners see a sharp increase in the number of times our phone rings as the winter holidays approach,” said Lenora Henry, executive director of the Red Cross of Central Maryland. “We’re excited to collaborate with the Baltimore City Fire Department on this new video series that will reach local families at this critical time of year and help make everyone safer.

The first of four videos is available below.

The Red Cross of Central Maryland and Baltimore City Fire Department plan to share one video per week throughout November.

Last year, in November and December alone, Red Cross of Central Maryland disaster response teams assisted hundreds of local residents impacted by close to 100 home fires — more than one fire per day, according to the release.

“Every winter, our firefighters see firsthand how quickly a holiday celebration can turn into a tragedy, and most of the fires we respond to this time of year are preventable,” said Baltimore City Fire Chief James W. Wallace. “A working smoke alarm, a space heater kept three feet from anything that can burn, and a home escape plan your family has practiced can be the difference between a close call and a loss of life. We are proud to partner with the Red Cross to put these lifesaving messages in front of every Baltimore family before the holidays.”

The campaign’s safety messaging includes changing smoke alarm batteries, keeping space heaters away from furniture, curtains and other flammable materials, and not overloading extension cords.

The Red Cross said all disaster assistance is free and made possible by donations. Anyone with home fire or disaster-caused needs can call 1-800-RED CROSS to connect with the local, volunteer-led Red Cross disaster response team.