Since 1922, the NFPA has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week. In 1925, 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, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.
Fire Marshal Paul Payne. Credit: Michael Dinan
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 year’s FPW campaign, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!™” strives to educate everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home.
For your family’s safety, smoke alarms should be installed in the following locations;
- Each sleeping room
- In the hallway outside of the sleeping rooms
- 1 on each additional level including basement
If your home has a fuel burning appliance, attached garage or a wood burning fireplace, carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in the following locations;
- In the hallway outside of the sleeping rooms
- 1 on each additional level including the basement
Our goal in Fire Prevention Month is to raise fire safety awareness, and help ensure your home and family are protected. We celebrate Fire Prevention Month by raising fire safety awareness and educating families, students and our community. During this month, the New Canaan Fire Department will visit thirteen schools and preschools across New Canaan and deliver our fire safety presentation. We’ll cover stop drop and roll, stay low and go, Exit Drills in the Home (EDITH), and when to call 911 as well as general fire safety tips. During the month of October, we’ll give our fire safety presentation to over 1000 children!