{"id":746,"date":"2022-09-23T14:00:55","date_gmt":"2022-09-23T18:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.columbus.in.gov\/fire\/?p=746"},"modified":"2022-09-27T14:57:18","modified_gmt":"2022-09-27T18:57:18","slug":"100-years-of-fire-prevention-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.columbus.in.gov\/fire\/100-years-of-fire-prevention-week\/","title":{"rendered":"100 Years of Fire Prevention Week"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"2022 Fire Prevention Week: October 9-15<\/strong><\/p>\n

This year is the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week. Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 conflagration that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on October 8 but continued into and did most of its damage on October 9, 1871. There are many theories as to how the fire erupted. The most popular theory is that Mrs. O\u2019Leary\u2019s cow kicked over a lamp, setting first the barn and then the entire city on fire.<\/p>\n

Since 1922, fire prevention week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9th falls. Every year, a new theme is chosen to promote fire prevention week. \u201cFire won\u2019t wait. Plan your escape\u201d is the theme for 2022. This year\u2019s theme highlights the importance of creating a home fire escape plan. A fire in the home will leave occupants will only a few moments to safely escape toxic smoke and extreme heat. When creating an escape plan, every member of the family should understand to get low near the floor to help avoid smoke and heat as you crawl to an exit. \u00a0A home fire escape plan should identify two ways out of each room in the home. The escape plan should also identify a safe meeting location where each family member will go after exiting the home. \u00a0In addition to creating and practicing a home fire escape plan, each home should also have working smoke alarms. \u00a0A working smoke alarm provides early fire detection and may provide the time to escape a fire in the home safely. Place at least one smoke alarm on each level of your home, preferably near sleeping rooms. Smoke alarms should be tested monthly and batteries should be replaced at least once each year. Working smoke alarms expire ten years after the manufacture date, so check the date each time you change batteries. This also includes hard-wired smoke alarms.<\/p>\n

For a family fire escape plan template, visit: https:\/\/www.columbus.in.gov\/fire\/fire-prevention-education-for-kids\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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Tips for Fire Escape Planning from the Columbus Fire Department:<\/p>\n