PHILADELPHIA, PA — More than half of Philadelphia residents lack a home fire escape plan despite widespread confidence in their emergency preparedness, according to a Red Cross-commissioned survey, prompting the organization to urge households across Southeastern Pennsylvania to test smoke alarms and review fire safety procedures ahead of Halloween and the end of daylight saving time.
The YouGov survey found that 73% of Philadelphia residents believe they are prepared for a home fire, while 54% have no escape plan and only 6% have ever practiced one.
The findings point to a gap between perceived readiness and the steps households have taken to prepare for emergencies. The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region warned that a home fire can spread in as little as two minutes, leaving residents little time to escape.
Working smoke alarms can reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by half, according to the organization.
The Red Cross is encouraging residents to use the November 1 end of daylight saving time as a reminder to inspect smoke alarms, replace batteries when necessary and practice evacuation procedures.
“Halloween is a time for fun, costumes and community, but it’s also the perfect opportunity to make sure your family is prepared for emergencies,” said Jennifer Graham, chief executive officer of the Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region.
The organization has assisted more than 5,300 Philadelphia-area residents affected by home fires and other local disasters since 2024. It has also installed nearly 2,000 smoke alarms in area homes during 2026.
The Red Cross recommends installing smoke alarms on every level of a home, including inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Alarms should be tested regularly and replaced when they reach 10 years of age.
Households should identify at least two escape routes from every room and establish an outdoor meeting location where family members can gather after evacuating.
Residents are also encouraged to practice escaping their homes within two minutes.
Beyond fire preparedness, the organization is emphasizing pedestrian safety during Halloween activities.
Children are more than twice as likely to be struck and killed by vehicles on Halloween than on other days of the year, according to the Red Cross.
Parents should accompany younger children while trick-or-treating, and older children should travel in groups along planned routes. Pedestrians should use sidewalks, cross at intersections and carry flashlights or glow sticks to improve visibility.
Drivers are urged to reduce their speed and watch for children, particularly after dark.
For costumes, the Red Cross recommends flame-resistant materials, reflective tape and face makeup instead of masks that could obstruct vision. Long costumes that create tripping hazards and decorative contact lenses that can cause eye injuries should be avoided.
Homeowners expecting trick-or-treaters should keep entrances and walkways illuminated, remove leaves and other obstacles, and use battery-operated candles or glow sticks instead of open flames in Halloween decorations.
The organization also cautioned residents about fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes, e-scooters and other rechargeable devices.
Households should use certified chargers, avoid charging devices overnight and keep charging equipment away from exits to reduce fire hazards and preserve evacuation routes.
The recommendations are intended to address both seasonal Halloween risks and year-round household fire hazards, particularly among residents who have not established or practiced an emergency escape plan.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.