Despite high confidence in fire preparedness, a 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.

In observance of last week’s Fire Prevention Week, the American Red Cross and the Philadelphia Fire Department teamed up to help residents bridge the gap between confidence and preparedness and reduce the risk of home fires.

”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,” said Jennifer Graham, CEO of the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region.

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, it has installed nearly 2,000 smoke alarms in Philadelphia homes so far in 2026. 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.

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.

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 one in five Philadelphia residents always verify that chargers are properly safety certified before purchasing them, despite safety experts recommending the use of certified chargers;

• More than four in 10 Philadelphia residents 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 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, said:

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

Residents are encouraged to test smoke alarms, create a two-minute home fire escape plan, practice an escape plan regularly, and follow lithium-ion battery safety guidance.

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