October is Fire Prevention Month! The goal of Fire Prevention Month (and week October 8 – 14 this year) is to raise fire safety awareness, and help ensure your home and family is protected. In 1922, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) named the second week of October Fire Prevention Week in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
Today, we celebrate Fire Prevention Week and Month by raising fire safety awareness and educating families, students and communities across the United States. During this month, fire departments provide education to their communities, and encourage parents and loved ones to practice fire prevention and whole home safety.
This year’s Fire Prevention Week™ (FPW™) campaign, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention™,” works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safer when cooking.
Did You Know?
Fire Prevention Week/Month is the perfect time to educate and talk with your whole family about fire safety – include testing alarms, changing the batteries or upgrading to 10-year sealed battery alarms, how to use a fire extinguisher and escape route planning.
- 3 of every 5 home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no working smoke alarms
- Less than 50% of homeowners have an escape plan
- Carbon monoxide (CO) is the #1 cause of accidental poisoning in the US
- 60% of consumers do not test their smoke and CO alarms monthly*
- Only 47% of people report having CO alarms in their home
- Just 43% of homeowners have an escape plan*
- Unattended cooking is the #1 cause of home fires
Help Protect Your Whole Home
It’s wise to practice whole home safety every day, so you and your family are prepared not only during Fire Prevention Week and Month, but throughout the entire year. Having functioning alarms installed throughout your home is the first line of defense for fire prevention. They work around the clock to provide your family an early alert in the event of an emergency, providing you time to safely escape. Smoke and CO alarms should be placed on every level of the home, including the basement, as well as inside and outside each bedroom to keep your home and family safe. Fire extinguishers should also be placed on every level of the home, especially in the kitchen and garage.
—
Photo Credit: The Creative Guy / Shutterstock.com