Fire Prevention Week

October 2016 Safety Topic

Fire Prevention Week, which was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, and destroyed more than 17,400 structures. The fire began on October 8 but continued into the following day, doing considerable damage.

The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) has declared this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign to be Don’t Wait—Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years. The focus is a continuation of a three-year effort to educate the public about basic but essential elements of smoke alarm safety.

Why focus on smoke alarms three years in a row? Because NFPA’s survey data shows that the public has many misconceptions about smoke alarms, which may put them at increased risk in the event of a home fire. For example, only a small percentage of people know how old their smoke alarms are or how often they need to be replaced.

KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER!

  • Place a smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas. If you keep bedroom doors shut, place a smoke alarm in each bedroom.
  • Know how old your smoke alarms are in your home. Look at the date of manufacture on the back of the alarm. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.
  • Teach children what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do when they hear it.

For more information, please contact a member of the Campus Life Safety and Regulatory Compliance team.