Today, residents of an East Moline apartment complex are finally moving back in after a fire forced them out of their home. The blaze was just one of five home fires in the Quad Cities that displaced nearly 30 people last week.
Pam Gettert from the Quad Cities Red Cross says this time of year, home fires are more common — and more devastating.
"Some of them, when they lose everything, are just looking for some way to have some comfort, a place to be for the holidays, and you know, there are some that lose all the stuff that they've bought for Christmas, so they're looking to replace all of that. Christmas season is a really hard time for people who are victims of home fires."
Christmas decorations, space heaters, and overused extension cords are some of the most common causes of home fires in the winter. Gettert recommends keeping an eye on appliances, and making sure all smoke detectors are working.