National Fire Prevention Week has been celebrated every October since 1922 in an effort to educate the public on fire safety and prevention. This week always takes place during the week of October 8, the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. While we have come a long way in fire detection in the last 149 years, fire safety is just as important today as it was back then.
This year's theme "Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen" focuses on the #1 cause of home fires: cooking. Cooking can be a fun activity for the family and is something most people participate in every day so it is important to know the best ways to prevent a kitchen fire.
- Never leave cooking unattended
- Keep any item that can catch fire away from the stovetop
- Be on alert! Do not operate the stove if you are sleepy or have been drinking
Keeping these in mind while cooking can save your life and home.
While kitchen safety is important, is it crucial to remember that fire safety exists in all aspects of your life, be it at home or at work. Below are some tips to follow to ensure that all aspects of your life are safe.
Home:
- Come up with an escape plan and make sure every member of the household knows and
understands it
- Regularly test every smoke detector
- Know where the fire exits and fire extinguishers are
Work
- Make sure every employee knows what to do in case of a fire, including exits, directing
customers, and who to call
- Keep regular maintenance and testing of fire alarm system and smoke alarms