October is Fire Prevention Month, highlighted, of course, by Fire Prevention Week, which this year is Oct. 6 - 12.

As you probably know, Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of Oct. 9 in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on Oct. 8, 1871. Fire Prevention Week is celebrated throughout North America every October and is the oldest U.S. public health observance on record. For more than 100 years, Fire Prevention Week has worked to educate people the risk of home fires and ways to minimize them. Local fire departments, schools, and community organizations play a key role in bringing Fire Prevention Week to life in their communities each year and spreading basic but critical fire safety messages.

Key messages for this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!” include the following:

Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home;
Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities;
Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button;
Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or don’t respond when tested.

Additional Fire Prevention Week resources for children, caregivers, and educators can be found at:

sparkyschoolhouse.org.

https://sparky.org/