By Akriti Farmahan

Despite high confidence in fire preparedness, a YouGov survey commissioned by the American Red Cross found that 54% of Philadelphia residents do not have a home fire escape plan and only 6% have practiced one, even though 73% believe they are prepared for a fire in their home. Because a fire can spread in as little as two minutes, having and practicing a home fire escape plan can make all the difference in an emergency.

To mark Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4-10, the American Red Cross and the Philadelphia Fire Department have teamed up to help residents bridge the gap between confidence and preparedness and reduce the risk of home fires, one of the leading emergencies in the region.

“The Philadelphia Fire Department and the American Red Cross play different roles, but together we help ensure people don’t have to face recovery alone,” said Jennifer Graham, CEO of the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region. “When I think about where Philadelphia could be five years from now, my hope is that preparedness becomes part of our culture, not just something we talk about after a tragedy.”

Home fires happen every day in Philadelphia. Since 2024, the Red Cross has helped more than 5,300 Philadelphia-area residents recover from home fires and other local disasters. To help prevent these emergencies, the Red Cross has installed an estimated nearly 2,000 smoke alarms in Philadelphia homes so far in 2026, providing residents with an early warning that can save lives. As temperatures get colder, residents may rely more heavily on heating equipment and other devices that can increase fire risks, making it especially important to test smoke alarms and have a practiced escape plan in place.

For families affected by a home fire, preparedness is only part of the recovery journey. After a home fire, families often need a safe place to stay while they begin to rebuild their lives. The Red Cross House, the only facility of its kind in the nation, provides short-term housing and support services in a safe, welcoming environment. Families stay in private rooms and have access to resources that help them recover and regain stability.

One resident who benefited from that support is Tammy Williams from Philadelphia. Earlier this year, Williams stayed at the Red Cross House after smoke from a fire in a neighboring home filled her house. When a Red Cross disaster responder assessed the conditions and determined it was unsafe for her to remain at home, she was encouraged to seek support at the Red Cross House while she navigated the immediate aftermath of the fire.

“Sometimes you don’t know what help is available, especially when you’re dealing with an emergency,” Williams said. “The person from the Red Cross looked at my home and told me, ‘Please let us help you.’ That kindness and compassion made all the difference. There are no words to describe it, and it’s priceless. The staff was so wonderful and welcoming. I was able to get my thoughts together, figure things out and have the time I needed to recover.”

The experience also changed how Williams thinks about fire safety.

“I do think about escape routes a lot now,” Williams said. “I know that when a fire starts, I may not have time to get out through the front door. I might need to use the back door or a window.”

While traditional fire safety hazards remain a top priority, the Philadelphia Fire Department is also seeing a rise in fires involving lithium-ion batteries. These batteries, which power e-bikes, electric vehicles, smartphones, and many other everyday devices, are increasingly being linked to fires.

The survey found:

• Just 1 in 5 Philadelphia residents (20%) always verify that chargers are properly safety certified before purchasing them, despite safety experts recommending the use of certified chargers.
• More than 4 in 10 Philadelphia residents (42%) report leaving devices charging overnight at least some of the time, despite safety recommendations to avoid unattended charging.
• Among residents who own an e-bike or e-scooter, nearly half (46%) most often charge their devices near a doorway or primary exit, a practice that could make it more difficult to escape if a fire occurs.

Speaking about emerging risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, Commissioner Thompson of the Philadelphia Fire Department said:

“Lithium-ion batteries are in almost every Philadelphia home, and our firefighters see what happens when they fail. Use certified chargers, never charge overnight or near your exit, and stop using any battery that is swollen, damaged or hot.”

This Fire Prevention Week, the American Red Cross and Philadelphia Fire Department encourage residents to:

• Test smoke alarms.
• Create a two-minute home fire escape plan.
• Practice an escape plan regularly.
• Follow lithium-ion battery safety guidance.

To learn more about home fire safety, visit redcross.org/fire.