How Families Can Prevent and Plan For Fires During Covid-19

November is Child Safety and Protection Month, and there’s no better time to think about how you can protect your family in the case of a fire in your home. Current national data show that U.S. fire departments respond to an annual average of about 343,100 home structure fires, causing roughly 2,610 civilian deaths, 11,090 injuries, and $9.0 billion in direct property damage each year. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and injuries, while smoking materials are the leading cause of home fire deaths (NFPA).

Many households still underprepare for home fires, even as day-to-day routines have changed. National estimates indicate residential fire counts dipped in 2020 and returned to near pre‑pandemic levels by 2021–2022, with roughly the mid‑300,000s incidents and the upper‑2,000s civilian deaths in 2022 (U.S. Fire Administration). Remote and hybrid work has stabilized at about 28–30% of paid workdays, which increases time spent around top household hazards like cooking, electrical equipment, and portable heating (WFH Research).

With solid prevention, detection, and planning, your family can reduce risk and be ready to respond. Preparation also simplifies recovery and the home insurance claim that may follow. Since 2020, several states have strengthened post‑disaster claims protections and emphasized mitigation (for example, California’s consumer protections and wildfire-mitigation discounts and Colorado’s post‑wildfire claims reforms), and carriers have expanded digital claims tools—though catastrophe events can still extend timelines (California SB 872; Colorado HB22‑1111; NAIC; J.D. Power).

Common Fire Safety Hazards and How to Prevent Them

Your first step in becoming fire-savvy is to look around your house with a keen eye, identifying items and situations that could cause a fire under the wrong conditions. Here are evidence‑based hazards and how to lower the risk, including newer concerns like lithium‑ion batteries in devices and micromobility products (CPSC):

Cooking

During everyday routines and the holidays, cooking remains the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Cooking was involved in about 49% of reported home fires in recent analyses, with unattended cooking the leading factor. Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or broiling; use a timer when simmering or baking; and keep combustibles (oven mitts, towels, packaging) away from the stovetop. If a small pan fire occurs, turn off the burner and slide a lid over the pan—never use water on a grease fire (NFPA cooking safety).

Smoking

If you smoke cigarettes, cigars or a pipe, be extra cautious. Cigarettes and other smoking materials start an estimated 16,300 reported home structure fires per year, causing about 660 deaths and roughly 1,030 injuries on average; they account for a small share of fires but a disproportionately large share of home fire deaths. Smoke outdoors when possible, keep smoking materials away from upholstered furniture and bedding, and never smoke where medical oxygen is used (NFPA). For e‑cigarettes and rechargeable devices, use only the manufacturer’s charger and never charge unattended; lithium‑ion battery failures can ignite quickly (CPSC lithium‑ion battery safety).

Electrical Hazards

Electrical distribution and lighting equipment are involved in an estimated 32,000 home structure fires annually, resulting in about 430 civilian deaths and $1.3 billion in direct property damage. Have a qualified electrician inspect older systems; avoid overloading outlets; and do not daisy‑chain power strips. Install and test GFCIs where required and consider AFCI protection to reduce arc‑fault fire risk. Replace damaged cords and never run cords under rugs. With more devices and chargers at home, route cables to prevent damage, use listed power strips only as directed, and keep equipment ventilated (NFPA; ESFI home office checklist). For e‑bikes/e‑scooters and other lithium‑ion products, charge on a hard, nonflammable surface, away from exits, and stop using any battery that is hot, swollen, leaking, or smells odd (CPSC micromobility guidance).

Space Heaters

A portable space heater can take the chill off a cold day, but improper use can turn deadly. Choose a heater listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (e.g., UL), place it on a solid, level surface at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, and plug it directly into a wall receptacle—never into a power strip or extension cord. Look for tip‑over and overheat shutoff features, and turn heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep (CPSC; NFPA heating).

Dryer Fires

Clothes dryer fires can escalate quickly because they often begin out of sight. U.S. analyses show that failure to clean is a leading factor in residential dryer fires. Empty the lint filter before every load, clean dryer ducts regularly (and have them serviced if airflow is weak), and avoid running the dryer when you’re away or asleep (U.S. Fire Administration – Topical Fire Report Series).

Candles and open flames

Candles and fireplaces add ambiance—and risk. Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn, use sturdy holders on heat‑resistant surfaces, and blow out candles when you leave the room or before sleeping. Use a fireplace screen; never burn wrapping paper; and keep stockings/garlands away from flames. During power outages, use flashlights, not candles (NFPA winter holiday safety; CPSC holiday safety).

What Are The Best Ways To Plan For a Fire?

Despite your best efforts, there is no way to completely fire-proof your home. Because of that, you want to have solid detection and fire control mechanisms in place to protect yourself and your family. Home fires consistently account for about three‑quarters of civilian structure fire deaths, so strong detection and a rehearsed escape plan are critical (Insurance Information Institute).

Smoke detectors

Your first line of defense is to have adequate smoke alarms in your house: one on each floor, in every bedroom, and additional alarms outside of bedrooms. Interconnect alarms so when one sounds, they all sound. Test monthly and keep batteries fresh—or consider sealed 10‑year battery models. If you have fuel‑burning appliances or an attached garage, install carbon monoxide (CO) alarms as well (NFPA smoke alarms).

Smoke alarms have a life of roughly ten years; check the manufacture date on the back and replace units that are 10 years old or older. To reduce nuisance alarms near kitchens while maintaining protection, consider modern, nuisance‑resistant, multi‑criteria alarms that meet UL 268 7th Edition requirements (UL 268 7th Edition).

Keep your smoke alarms clean — make sure they’re free of cobwebs and dust to avoid accidental alarms. Test them regularly, so that you and your children both know what they sound like, and know that they’re working.

Property documentation

Taking a home inventory can set you up well for the after-fire process. Make sure to go through every room in your home taking video shots of all the furniture and belongings in that room. Some home insurance companies offer an online option to list your property through your account on their site. The key is to have a listing of your valuables in a remote location that you can access easily after a fire. You will present this to the adjuster when they are determining the value of property that has been destroyed. Keep receipts and a log of expenses—especially for temporary housing and essentials—since catastrophe claims can face longer cycle times even with digital tools (J.D. Power).

Fire extinguishers

Small, easy-to-use fire extinguishers are available from big box stores and online retailers. You should have one on each floor of your house, positioned up off the floor and anchored to a stable wall. Kitchens and laundry rooms are both good spots for an extinguisher, although you’ll want to keep them away from heat sources such as the stove.

When you purchase a fire extinguisher, read the directions so you know how to use it. In the event of a fire, you won’t have time to puzzle it out — a kitchen fire can spread in seconds, and you have a limited window of opportunity to use it.

The Occupational Safety and Health Organization recommends that when teaching your family to use an extinguisher, you remember the P.A.S.S. technique:

PULL … the pin, which breaks the tamper seal.
AIM … try to point the nozzle at the base of the fire, not the flames themselves.
SQUEEZE … the handle, which releases the extinguishing agent.
SWEEP … from side to side near the fire’s base until it is out. Then watch the area carefully to ensure that it doesn’t restart.

One caveat: if you aren’t sure you can put out the fire yourself, or if it keeps reigniting, get out of the house immediately. While you’re trying to extinguish the fire, have someone else call 9-1-1; even if you think you’ve controlled the fire, it’s a good idea to have a professional firefighter check the area. For incidents involving lithium‑ion batteries (e‑mobility devices, power tools), note that specialized extinguishers are now evaluated for Li‑ion battery fires; consider one where appropriate, and always prioritize evacuation for larger battery events (UL Solutions).

Fire evacuation plan

Create your fire evacuation plan before you need it, not when the fire is raging. Here are some tips to help you create a solid plan that could save your life:

If you have a floor plan of your house, use it while making your plan. If not, it may help you to go from room to room while assessing possible escape routes. The NFPA offers an easily-downloaded fire escape planning grid that can help you create your plan.
Consider two different exits from each room. This will include the door, but also look at windows as possible exits. Make sure the windows are easily opened — if they’re painted shut or stuck, remedy the situation as soon as possible.
If necessary, purchase an easily-stored fire ladder that can be attached to a window to allow for exit from a second-floor room.
Have regular fire drills with your family, especially if you have children, elderly relatives, or persons with disabilities living with you. Practice at least twice a year, including after bedtime, and assign an adult to assist children who may sleep through alarms. Teach “get low and go,” and make “close before you doze” part of your routine to slow smoke and heat spread (AAP; UL FSRI).
If you have pets, determine whose responsibility it will be to locate and evacuate them.
Plan a spot away from the house where everyone should meet in the event of a fire. Avoid any spot where fire trucks might need to be, or where you might be in the way of firefighters. The next door neighbor’s front yard might be a good option, or under a tree that’s far from the house.
Assign a “fire buddy” to each family member. That way, no one is inadvertently left behind in a fire. Work together as a family to make sure that everyone knows what to do, even the youngest children.

Download your own copy of our Fire Safety worksheet here!

Picking Up The Pieces After a Fire

If, despite all your efforts, you are the victim of a home fire, you may think: what do I do now? Your first concern will be for the health and safety of your family and pets.

As soon as you possibly can, however, you’ll want to contact your home insurance agent — preferably on the same day as the fire. Your agent will assign an adjustor to visit your property and assess the damage. Don’t make any repairs until they have done so, unless you need to take steps to protect your home from further damage, such as tarping over a hole in the roof. After large declared disasters, some states require advance payments for certain benefits and allow simplified personal property inventories for total losses—ask your insurer about any applicable protections (California SB 872; Colorado HB22‑1111).

While waiting for the adjuster, collect as much information as you can about your home and its contents. If you can safely walk through the house, do so, noting what is destroyed and what can be salvaged. This is a good time to access your previously-made documentation of your property. If you don’t have any documentation, work from memory to create an overview of your belongings to pass on to the adjuster.

When it’s time to make repairs, get written bids from licensed contractors, with as much detail as possible. Don’t jump on the lowest bid for a repair or pay cash upfront to secure the bid price. Go for permanent repairs rather than quick fixes, and keep all receipts in a file to present to the adjuster. Make copies of all paperwork, whether from contractors, your insurer, inspectors or other vendors, and keep them all together if needed for your claim. Be aware that the homeowners market has faced higher catastrophe losses and rebuilding-cost inflation since 2020, which can affect coverage needs and timelines; review extended replacement cost, ordinance or law, and additional living expense provisions carefully (NAIC; III: California market overview).

Ask the Experts

Chuck Guice

Chuck has been active with the Arlington County Fire Department as a Firefighter for over 21 years, and has served as a Deputy Fire Marshal and Bomb Technician with the Arlington County Fire Department for the past 6 years.

What are some of the most important steps you’ve taken with your family to make you home safer from fires?
One of the most important steps that I have taken with my family is creating a pre-plan if we have a fire emergency in our home. After alerting everyone in the house that there is a fire, we leave as quickly as we can and head to our family meeting place. We then account for everyone, call for help, and let the fire department units know what is on fire and the fire’s rough location in the home.
What advice would you give to parents who are talking with their children about fire safety?
This is very age dependent. With younger children (ages 4-8 ) it’s important to discuss what the child should do if they find matches or lighters, not to touch them, and how they should go find an adult and tell them what they found. For kids ages 8-12, talk with them about the dangers of playing with matches and lighters. This age is more likely to pick up those matches or lighter to see what it does. If you take the time to show them what happens when that match or lighter is lit, they will be less curious about how it works. Remind them that fire safety is something that they practice everywhere they go.
What is a commonly overlooked step towards fire safety/prevention that you’d recommend families look into as soon as possible?
One of the most overlooked household items that families don’t realize are fire hazards are extension cords. We all are guilty of having that one outlet that just isn’t enough room for all our devices, and we use an extension cord as a quick fix. We may also still be using that cord that we bought 10 years ago; running it under a rug or carpet to reach that lamp on the table next to the chair. You may not see it, but extension cords break down over time and cause fires. Extension cords are a temporary use item. When not in use it should be unplugged from the receptacle.
What times of the year do you see the most house fires, and what would you recommend that families be on the lookout for?
One of the most common times of year we see a rise in house fires are the winter months. A couple things that I think of off hand are Christmas trees and fireplace ashes. Dried out Christmas trees can easily catch fire and this can spread very rapidly through a space. Improperly disposing of fireplace ashes before they have had enough time to cool can also create a fire hazard. If you clean out your hot ashes from the fireplace and put them outside next to the house or dump them in the trash can, they can catch again and burn your trash can or house hours later.

Michael J DiRienzo

Over 28 years of service as a firefighter/paramedic. Graduate of Loyola School of Medicine with a certification as a Paramedic, Advanced Life Support, Bachelor’s degree from Benedictine University, Lisle, Illinois. Attended University of Illinois Fire Service Institute. Fire service Instructor II, Instructor for CPR, First Aid and AED.

What are some of the most important steps you’ve taken with your family to make you home safer from fires?
Safety starts in the home, and my family is no exception; emergencies can and do happen to everyone. There are two steps to fire safety in the home 1) prevention of emergencies and 2) response in the event of an emergency. I would help make my own home safe from fire emergencies by taking preventive measures such as keeping appliances and utilities in good repair, (furnace, water heater, electrical system) and inspected annually by professionals. It’s always important to check exhaust pipes, outlets and vents, clean and repair them immediately if needed. Additionally, electrical cords should be checked for frayed wires, and should be rated for the electrical load they are being used for. You should also have working fire extinguishers available and know how to use them. The family and residents should be aware of procedures in the event of an emergency. Plan and practice EDITH (Exit Drills in the Home). Have a meeting place outside so everyone can be accounted for. Practice calling 911 (but don’t actually make the call during practice!). And KNOW YOUR ADDRESS! You should post your address somewhere in a conspicuous place (refrigerator, bulletin board, etc.) so that visitors, and even young people in the house know the proper address to report to the 911 operator. Calls from cell phones may not give the address, so it is vital to know when calling Fire, EMS or Police where the response is needed.
What advice would you give to parents who are talking with their children about fire safety?
Advice I would give to parents when discussing these issues with children would be to not panic them: you want them to be aware, not afraid! A simple, direct and open discussion would go a long way in keeping the family engaged. Have them participate in the planning and practice (put them “in charge” of certain aspects of the plans).
What is a commonly overlooked step towards fire safety/prevention that you’d recommend families look into as soon as possible?
The most overlooked aspect of fire safety and prevention in the home would have to be the complacency we all fall into: It becomes very easy to assume all is well when the furnace works or the extension cord has always been okay, so it’s good enough for now. Inspections, regular cleanings and repairs cannot be emphasized enough for their value in keeping your home safe. In addition, the regular review and practice of emergency procedures is frequently overlooked.
What times of the year do you see the most house fires, and what would you recommend that families be on the lookout for?
Cool weather brings about the most exposure to fire danger. After all, we are inviting fire into our homes with the use of fireplaces, furnaces and space heaters. These things, properly maintained and used according to their purpose are perfectly safe. However, it’s when we do not maintain them in good repair, or use them in a method not according to their intended use that they become a problem. Make sure to read and abide by manufactures recommendations for proper use and placement of these items. During the holidays, inspect and test lighting before you put it up. Make sure combustible materials are not near lights, space heaters or other heat sources.

Staying One Step Ahead

As we get closer to the holidays, there will be additional challenges in maintaining a fire-ready home, with flammable decorations and increased cooking added to the mix. Keep trees and decorations at least 3 feet from heat sources, water live trees daily, use only listed lights and outdoor‑rated cords outside with GFCI protection, turn decorations off before bed or when leaving, and prefer flameless candles near décor (NFPA; ESFI; CPSC; Ready.gov). For new battery‑powered gifts and devices, charge on hard, nonflammable surfaces, use only the manufacturer’s charger, and never charge unattended (CPSC).

All of this makes it even more important to remain vigilant and take precautions to make our homes as fire-resistant as possible, and to educate our families and ourselves in the best tactics to take before, during, and after a fire. Build kids’ skills with engaging, age‑appropriate tools like NFPA’s Sparky and Ready.gov/Kids, practice your escape plan twice a year (including one after bedtime), and make “close before you doze” part of your nightly routine (UL FSRI). By taking advantage of these evidence‑based suggestions, you’ll have a detailed plan to stay one step ahead of fire hazards during the holidays and beyond.

Featured image by netrun78 / Getty Images.