Holiday Fire Safety Tips 2025 on Fox 17 WXMI E.S.C.A.P.E. 30 Years, MI SAFE, Safety, WXMI Fox 17,
22
Dec 2025

When a home catches fire, families have less than two minutes to get out safely, that’s why FOX 17 partnered with E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. to help get more smoke alarms into homes across West Michigan. To date, the Keep Michigan Safe initiative has provided more than 1,000 smoke alarms to viewers, and their local fire departments have helped install them correctly. The Red Cross has also been instrumental in helping protect people with smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Fires increase dramatically in the winter months, and the holiday season provides its own unique dangers. Don’t burn real candles, use the battery-powered versions to eliminate risk. Make sure to unplug/turn off holiday light displays when you leave the house and overnight. Don’t put gifts or decorations in the way of exits and escape routes. Close bedroom doors at bedtime to help prevent fires from spreading.

For more information on fire prevention tips, or to reach out about getting a smoke alarm installed, head to escapeinc.org, fox17online.com/safe or call toll free (844) 978-4400.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are links to holiday fire safety tips stories which aired live on Fox 17 on Monday morning December 22, 2025.


12/22/2025 Fox 17 News Interview with Michael McLeieer, President and Founder of E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. – 7:20 a.m. Candles, trees, holiday lights, lighters and matches


12/22/2025 Fox 17 News Interview with Michael McLeieer, President and Founder of E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. – 8:20 a.m. – Space heater and fireplace ash safety


12/22/2025 Fox 17 News Interview with Michael McLeieer, President and Founder of E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. – 9:20 a.m. – General home fire safety tips, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

12/23/2025 Fox 17 Morning Mix Interview with Michael McLeieer, President and Founder of E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. – 10:10 a.m. – Holiday fire safety tips

It’s Fire Prevention Week: Charge into Safety on Fox 17 Morning Mix E.S.C.A.P.E. 30 Years, Fire Prevention Month, Safety, WXMI Fox 17,
07
Oct 2025

Fire Prevention Week is happening right now and across West Michigan, fire departments and safety organizations are uniting under an urgent, timely theme: Charge into Safety. This year’s campaign is focusing on the rapidly growing danger of lithium-ion batteries, which are now ubiquitous in homes across the country.

Michael McLeieer from E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. emphasized the week’s critical importance, noting that fire departments all across the country come together to highlight efforts people can take at work, at home, and when they are out to prevent fires and tragedies. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) specifically chose lithium-ion batteries as the theme because of a noticeable increase in fire risks tied to the rising number of rechargeable items used in day-to-day life.

One of the most vital safety tips is to never leave these rechargeable items plugged in for extended periods. This simple precaution helps prevent the battery from overheating, which can lead to a dangerous fire. Where you charge them and how you dispose of old batteries is just as important! Given how many rechargeable devices—from phones and laptops to scooters and tools—are in the average household, this new focus is an essential piece of modern fire safety education. Watch our interview to get more info and don’t forget to check out their website at escapeinc.org.

The kickoff of Fire Prevention Week also coincides with a significant milestone for Michael’s organization. Michael, the founder of E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc.—which stands for Education Showing Children and Adults Procedures for Evacuations—is celebrating the organization’s 30th anniversary on October 10th, 2025, exactly three decades since its founding in 1995. Over the last 30 years, E.S.C.A.P.E. has made an incredible impact, successfully educating over a million kids and families on CPR, first aid, fire safety, and evacuation procedures.

It’s Fire Prevention Week: WKZO AM 590 & FM 106.0 E.S.C.A.P.E., E.S.C.A.P.E. 30 Years, Fire Prevention Month, WKZO,
06
Oct 2025

It’s Fire Prevention Week and E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc.’s founder and President firefighter Michael McLeieer talks with WKZO radio Morning Show host Ken Lanphear about Lithium Ion battery safety.  Click on the audio link below.

It’s Fire Prevention Week: Charge Into Safety E.S.C.A.P.E., E.S.C.A.P.E. 30 Years, Fire Prevention Month, Safety, WXMI Fox 17,
06
Oct 2025

Each year, FOX 17 teams up with E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. to highlight the Fire Prevention Week campaign.

This year’s theme is Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home. The main focus is learning how important it is to buy, charge and recycle safely to prevent a fire in your home.

You may not realize how common lithium-ion batteries are in your day-to-day life. Almost anything rechargeable uses this kind of battery.

 

Charge into fire safety: 3 steps

  • Buy only listed products: when buying a product that uses a lithium-ion battery, look for a safety certification mark such as UL, ETL, or CSA. This means it meets important safety standards.
  • Charge devices safely:
    • Always use the cord that came with the product to charge.
    • Follow the instructions from the manufacturer.
    • Charge your device on a hard surface.
    • Don’t overcharge your device.
    • Unplug it or remove the battery when it’s fully charged.
  • Recycle batteries responsibly: Don’t throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins, they could start a fire. Find a safe battery recycling location at call2recycle.org.

Other safety tips: