DETROIT (Nov. 19, 2025) – Cooking accidents, unattended candles and unsafe decorations are among the leading causes for home fires during the holidays. The American Red Cross offers simple steps to keep you and your family safe.  

The Red Cross responds to nearly 20 percent more home fires during November and December than at other times of the year, assisting an average of 40,000 people during these two months alone. 

“One in five people the Red Cross assists after home fires are helped in just the holiday months,” said Latoysa “Toy” Rooks, regional disaster officer of the Red Cross Michigan Region. “Home fires can strike quickly, leaving you with as little as two minutes to escape. Be sure your household has working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan to get to safety.” 

COOKING SAFETY 

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
• Keep kids and pets at least three feet away from cooking areas.
• Keep anything that can catch on fire — potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains — away from your stove top and oven or any other appliance that generates heat.
   

Rooks also suggests keeping a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and checking the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the house to make sure the stove, oven and small appliances are turned off.

DECORATING AND HEATING SAFETY

December is the peak month for candle fires, which cause about 20 home fires a day on average in the U.S. Heating equipment remains one of the leading causes of home fires.
 

• Opt for flameless candles instead of real candles. If you must use real candles, keep them away from anything that could burn, and place them out of reach from pets and children. Never leave burning candles unattended.
• Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
• Replace any strings of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
• Keep flammable items like furniture, rugs and drapes at least three feet from heating equipment.
   

Never leave space heaters unattended. Keep a space heater on a level, hard and nonflammable surface, such as a ceramic tile floor. Don’t place it on rugs and carpets, or near bedding and drapes. And turn it off every time you leave the room or go to sleep.

Smoke alarms save lives. Install smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Test your alarms once a month and change the batteries at least once a year, if the model requires it. If the alarms are 10 years or older, they need to be replaced because the sensor becomes less sensitive over time. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Sydney Henry / sydney.henry@redcross.org / 313-439-4304 

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.