With home fires continuing to be the most common disaster response handled by the American Red Cross, the organization is urging residents to take steps to prevent fires and prepare their families for emergencies during Fire Prevention Week, observed Oct. 4-10.

The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania reported its disaster response teams have responded to more than 1,700 fires across Pennsylvania since the beginning of 2026. Nationally, the Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters each year, with most involving home fires.

“Across the country, the Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters a year and most of these are home fires. Here in Pennsylvania, our disaster teams have responded to more than 1,700 fires since the beginning of 2026,” said Jorge Martinez, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania. “These fires are devastating for the people involved. But there are steps everyone can take which will help not only help prevent a fire from starting but also help keep everyone safe should an emergency occur.”

The Red Cross encourages families to develop and practice a home fire escape plan. Because residents may have less than two minutes to escape a burning home, officials recommend ensuring everyone knows two ways out of every room, designating an outdoor meeting place and practicing fire drills twice each year. Residents are also reminded to get out and stay out during a fire and call 911 only after reaching safety.

Checking and maintaining smoke alarms is another critical safety measure, according to the Red Cross. Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of a home, including inside and outside sleeping areas. Alarms should be tested monthly, batteries replaced as needed and units older than 10 years replaced to ensure sensors remain effective. Parents are also encouraged to teach children what smoke alarms sound like and how to respond when they hear one.

The organization also highlighted ways to reduce the risk of fires occurring in the first place.

Cooking remains the leading cause of home fires in the United States. The Red Cross recommends never leaving food unattended on the stove or in the oven, avoiding loose clothing while cooking and maintaining a 3-foot child-free zone around cooking areas. Residents should also keep flammable materials away from heat sources and consider keeping a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

With cooler weather approaching, the Red Cross is also reminding homeowners to use heating equipment safely. Home heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires.

Safety tips include never using an oven or stove to heat a home, keeping fireplaces attended and screened, and maintaining at least 3 feet of clearance around heating equipment. Space heaters should be placed on level, nonflammable surfaces, kept away from bedding and drapes, plugged directly into wall outlets and turned off whenever a room is unattended or occupants go to sleep.

“According to the National Fire Protection Association, there was a home fire every 23 seconds in 2024 which claimed a life every two hours and 14 minutes,” Martinez said. “During Fire Prevention Week, we here at the Red Cross urge everyone to develop their evacuation plans, check their smoke alarms and help keep the members of their household safe.”