Winter is one of the most common times for house fires, and the Red Cross says they see a spike in the need for help during the holidays. They say this uptick is in part due to increased fire risks from cooking and heating around the holidays.On average, more than 1,700 people just in Pennsylvania need help after a fire between November and the new year, which is a 20% spike in calls.Statistical data “In just the past two months, Red Cross volunteers have responded to over 70 home fires in the central Pennsylvania area, helping more than 260 people. This is something that our volunteers are out responding to 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Cristina Maisel from the American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region.On New Year’s Day, the Red Cross responded to a home in Springettsbury Township where seven people were displaced, one example of many across the Susquehanna Valley.Chief Clifton Laughman of the West Manchester Fire Department said, “We’re seeing an increase year after year in our call volume, and so is everybody else.”The Red Cross assists more than 1,700 people across Pennsylvania after holiday home fires, while local fire departments report a variety of causes for these fires. “The fires that we’ve been having are your typical electrical, misuse of extension cords, electrical equipment, and lithium-ion batteries,” Todd Heilman, Battalion Chief of YAUFR, said. “Those are the two that we’ve been seeing of this year as a whole, that have been the cause of many of our fires.”Safeguards Fires can occur at any time, but the Red Cross emphasizes the importance of having safeguards in place. Maisel advised, “The one important point that we want people to know is that we really want everyone to have safe and working smoke alarms in their homes. That can help cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half.”Chief Laughman added, “If you need to be using space heaters, making sure that you keep them away from combustible materials, so at least three feet.”The Red Cross offers assistance for those without working smoke alarms, and local fire departments are available for any questions.

YORK, Pa. —

Winter is one of the most common times for house fires, and the Red Cross says they see a spike in the need for help during the holidays. They say this uptick is in part due to increased fire risks from cooking and heating around the holidays.

On average, more than 1,700 people just in Pennsylvania need help after a fire between November and the new year, which is a 20% spike in calls.

Statistical data

“In just the past two months, Red Cross volunteers have responded to over 70 home fires in the central Pennsylvania area, helping more than 260 people. This is something that our volunteers are out responding to 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Cristina Maisel from the American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region.

On New Year’s Day, the Red Cross responded to a home in Springettsbury Township where seven people were displaced, one example of many across the Susquehanna Valley.

Chief Clifton Laughman of the West Manchester Fire Department said, “We’re seeing an increase year after year in our call volume, and so is everybody else.”

The Red Cross assists more than 1,700 people across Pennsylvania after holiday home fires, while local fire departments report a variety of causes for these fires.

“The fires that we’ve been having are your typical electrical, misuse of extension cords, electrical equipment, and lithium-ion batteries,” Todd Heilman, Battalion Chief of YAUFR, said. “Those are the two that we’ve been seeing of this year as a whole, that have been the cause of many of our fires.”

Safeguards

Fires can occur at any time, but the Red Cross emphasizes the importance of having safeguards in place. Maisel advised, “The one important point that we want people to know is that we really want everyone to have safe and working smoke alarms in their homes. That can help cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half.”

Chief Laughman added, “If you need to be using space heaters, making sure that you keep them away from combustible materials, so at least three feet.”

The Red Cross offers assistance for those without working smoke alarms, and local fire departments are available for any questions.