Fire Prevention Week October 3rd-9th

10/6/2021 (Permalink)

About Fire Prevention Week

The NFPA has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week since 1922. Three years later, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country. During Fire Prevention Week, it is important to review the main ways to stay safe in the case of a fire. Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to decrease casualties caused by fires.

Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific accident killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.

Importance of fire prevention

During a fire, even seconds can mean the difference between a safe escape and a tragedy. Fire safety education is not just for school children. Teenagers, adults, and the elderly are also at risk in fires, making it important for every member of the community to take some time every October during Fire Prevention Week to understand how to stay safe in case of a fire.

Bring awareness

While children under 5 and adults over 65 are at the highest risk for injury or death in a fire, all ages are vulnerable. The risk of a nonfatal fire injury is highest for those between 20 and 49, showing that fire safety education is essential for all. Additional risk factors include race, social-economic status, education level, and geographic location.

The purpose of Fire Prevention Week is to bring awareness to the risk of death in case of a fire and provide educational resources to people of all ages, races, and socioeconomic status in order to keep everyone safe.