Baltimore launches weekly video series to cut winter home fires
Local fire officials and the Red Cross are releasing four safety clips through November, citing nearly 100 residential fires during last year's holiday season.
By Jasmine Carter ·
The Baltimore City Fire Department and Red Cross of Central Maryland began releasing four educational videos on November 2. The clips will drop weekly throughout the month. The campaign aims to reduce household fire risks as colder weather arrives.
Red Cross teams assisted hundreds of residents following nearly 100 local home fires in November and December 2025. The organization states that it responds to approximately 20% more residential fires during those two months than at other times of the year.
Lenora Henry, executive director of the Red Cross of Central Maryland, identified home fires as the most frequent emergency handled by the disaster response team in the city. Fire Chief James W. Wallace added that many winter house fires are preventable with working smoke alarms and practiced escape routes.
The series concludes on November 23 with a live fire safety demonstration. The event will take place at the Baltimore City Fire Department Training Academy. Officials recommend testing smoke alarms, replacing batteries, and keeping space heaters at least 3 feet from combustible materials.
Residents should also avoid overloading extension cords and practice family fire escape plans. Fire officials advise never leaving cooking equipment unattended. Families can call 1-800-RED CROSS for free disaster assistance after a fire.
The Red Cross also provides online resources for home fire prevention. These materials are available for review before the holiday season. The campaign targets the period when heating equipment use and holiday meal preparation increase fire hazards.
