The new year has kicked off with an alarming rate of home fires in Pennsylvania.

American Red Cross data shows the Pennsylvania Rivers chapter has helped more home-fire victims this January compared to January 2021. The Red Cross responded to 22 home fires this January in Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Schuylkill, Northumberland, Columbia, Montour, Union and Snyder counties, helping 88 individuals with urgent needs like emergency lodging, financial assistance and recovery planning.

As residents continue to turn on the heat to stay warm this winter, the Red Cross urges families to safely heat their homes to avoid fires. Heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires.

A 2020 Red Cross survey showed that more than half of residents have used a space heater, which is involved in most fatal home heating fires. Provide at least three feet of space around all heating equipment and never leave space heaters unattended. To also help protect your family year-round, test smoke alarms monthly and practice a home-fire escape plan until everyone can escape in less than two minutes.

Follow these additional tips for safety:

• If a space heater is necessary, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface, such as a ceramic-tile floor. Do not place it on rugs and carpets or near bedding and drapes; keep away children and pets.

• Plug space heater power cords directly into outlets - never an extension cord. Turn it off every time upon leaving the room or when going to sleep.

• Never use a cooking range or oven to heat a home.

• Never leave a fire burning in the fireplace unattended. Make sure any embers in the fireplace are extinguished before going to bed or leaving home. Use a glass or metal fire screen to keep embers in the fireplace.

• Have furnaces, chimneys, fireplaces and wood and coal stoves inspected annually by a professional and cleaned if necessary.

The free Red Cross Emergency app is available by searching for American Red Cross in app stores. Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including an escape plan to practice with family.