Since October is National Fire Prevention Month, it’s the perfect time for people to think about fire safety in their homes. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there were over 490,000 structure fires in the U.S. in 2020. That’s an increase of almost 2% from 2019.

This resulted in over 3,700 deaths and over $15 billion in damages. That’s why it’s important for people to think seriously about fire safety and make sure that their family is protected.

This can be done by conducting a fire safety assessment of the house, ensuring smoke detectors are installed properly, and developing a fire safety plan with their family. Let’s all celebrate this month and do our part to reduce fires in the U.S.

The History of National Fire Prevention Month

This month was established by the NFPA to raise the public’s awareness about the potential for household fires. In 1921, they designated Fire Prevention Day on the 9th of October.

They chose that date because it was the 50th anniversary of the 1871 Great Chicago Fire. The following year, the observance was expanded to an entire week, and the year after that, it became National Fire Prevention Month.

Some Quick Fire Safety Facts

We wanted to include some lesser-known facts about home fires to educate everyone reading about National Fire Prevention Month. We discovered the following tips during our research and think they are very informative.

• Over 50% of home decoration fires during the month of December are started by candles.
• The peak day in December for candle fires is Christmas.
• Every year, there are over 45,000 electrical fires in the U.S.
• Half of all home electrical fires are due to lighting equipment or wiring.
• Home electrical fire deaths peak between the hours of midnight and 8 a.m.
• The top causes of fires in the home are candles, cooking, heating, electrical, and smoking.

Observing National Fire Prevention Month

During this month, everyone should take a good look at their home and help identify potential fire hazards that exist. They should ensure that power strips aren’t overloaded, that candles are never left burning unattended, and that kitchen towels and pot holders are kept away from stove burners.

People should also ensure there are batteries in the smoke detectors and that they have a portable fire extinguisher in the home. And that’s only the beginning. People should also visit the National Fire Protection Association’s website for additional tips. To spread the word about this month, be sure to use the hashtag #FirePreventionMonth.