Baltimore Fire Department and Red Cross Launch Winter Home Fire Prevention Campaign
Four educational videos will roll out in November to address a season that typically sees a 20% increase in residential fires.
By Marco Ortega ·
The Baltimore City Fire Department and Red Cross of Central Maryland launched a joint home fire safety campaign on November 2. The initiative releases four educational videos on a weekly schedule throughout the month. The goal is to reduce household fire incidents as colder weather and holiday cooking increase risks.
Red Cross teams assisted hundreds of residents following nearly 100 home fires in Baltimore during November and December 2025. Lenora Henry, executive director of the Red Cross of Central Maryland, stated that home fires are the most frequent emergency her disaster response team handles in the city. Nationally, the organization responds to approximately 20% more residential fires during these two months than at other times.
Fire Chief James W. Wallace noted that many winter house fires are preventable. He emphasized that functional smoke alarms and practiced escape routes make a critical difference. Fire officials provided a list of precautions for families. These include testing smoke alarms, keeping space heaters at least 3 feet from combustible materials, and avoiding overloaded extension cords.
Residents are also advised to practice a family fire escape plan and never leave cooking equipment unattended. The campaign concludes on November 23 with a live fire safety demonstration at the Baltimore City Fire Department Training Academy.
Free disaster assistance is available to affected households through the Red Cross. Residents can call 1-800-RED CROSS for support after a fire. Families may also review the organization’s home fire prevention resources before the holiday season begins.
