Fire Prevention Day – October 9, 2022 , history, significance
Fire Prevention Day occurs every October and exists to raise awareness of practices that can help prevent these disasters and to recognize the work of the firefighters who relieve them.
The United States has one of the highest fire death rates in the world, resulting in approximately 5000 deaths every year, and a further 25,000 injuries, highlighting just how important fire safety and education still really is.
Fire Prevention Day is an excellent opportunity to discuss fire safety with your kids, friends, and family, in a fun but educational way, with lots of activities and shared resources.
History of Fire Prevention Day
The first Fire Prevention Day was celebrated in the year 1920. The observance of the day commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 in North America. According to legend, the cause of the fire was when Mrs. O’Leary’s milch cow kicked over a lamp in her shed. The fire burned for over 27 hours from October 8 to early October 10, 1871.
The fire had killing more than 300 people, destroying over 17,000 structures for about 3.3 square miles in Chicago, Illinois. More than 100,000 people were left homeless. Forty years later in 1911, the Fire Marshall’s Association of North America (FMANA) held the first Fire Prevention Day.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the oldest membership section was the international sponsor. In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson had proclaimed Fire Prevention Week in which October 9 falls. The observance of the anniversary is a way to keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention.
How to celebrate Fire Prevention Day
The most important way to prevent fires is through education and awareness. In particular, children and teenagers need to learn about fire hazards and safety, and a focus on fire education is ultimately what this day is all about, utilizing various available resources as tools.
On Fire Prevention Day, children and adults alike learn about fire prevention including how to stay safe, what to do in case of a fire, and how to prevent them in the first place.
Previous Fire Prevention Days have kicked off with slogans such as ‘Fire Feeds on Careless Deeds’ and ‘Don’t Give Fire a Place to Start.’
Acronyms such as ‘EDITH’ (Exit Drills In The Home) are also taught to encourage families to have an escape plan set up in case of an event of a fire. It also promotes smoke alarm installations and checks and showcases the importance of awareness and dangers from everyday household items such as candles.
During the celebration, people congratulate firefighters, recognizing how they put their lives on the line daily to keep them safe and express gratitude for their sacrifices. Firefighters also provide education and life-saving information to their communities.
Various fire-prevention and fire-safety materials are promoted throughout communities and schools in different formats, ranging from online games for kids to play from their homes on computers, tablets, laptops or phones, and activity booklets to complete at home or school. Banners and posters are also on sale to promote the day at schools and community halls, as well as magnets and badges to raise even more awareness.
The NFPA also has a Sparky the Fire Dog mascot, specially aimed at children to make them more interested and engaged in learning about fire prevention, and sell products with Sparky to appeal to a younger audience. This aids in educating kids on topics such as testing smoke alarms, cooking safely, and practicing escape plans.
