Fire Prevention Week is observed in Canada and the United States during the week in which October 9th falls, from Sunday to the following Saturday. This week has been observed for over a hundred years and is used to reaffirm the importance of fire preparedness and safety, as well as to honor the firefighters who risk their lives to protect communities against fires.

Every Canadian and American is encouraged to learn more about fire safety and to take the proper safety measures to keep their homes and families safe against the threat of fire.

The History of Fire Prevention Week

Fire Prevention can be traced back to a commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire that was held in 1911 on the 40th anniversary of that tragic event by the Fire Marshals Association of North America.

They saw this event as a way to inform the public about the importance of fire prevention. In 1919, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) held its 23rd annual meeting in Ottawa, Canada, at the request of the Dominion Fire Prevention Association (DFPA).

Both organizations passed resolutions that urged their governments to start a campaign celebrating a Fire Prevention Day that could be observed every year. In 1922, this event evolved into Fire Prevention Week. Every year since then, the NFPA has selected an annual theme to commemorate the event.

Fire Prevention Tips

As a nod to Fire Prevention Week, we thought we’d take a few moments to give some tips on how people can protect their homes and families against the threat of fire. Although the following list of tips is not comprehensive, it’s a good start for anyone looking to protect their home.

• Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home.
• Smoke alarms should be tested every month, and batteries changed if needed.
• Every family should have a fire escape plan and a kitchen fire extinguisher.
• Never leave candles unattended.

Observing Fire Prevention Week

All across Canada and the U.S., there are Fire Prevention Week activities that people can participate in. Events that can occur during this week include exhibitions, giving out free smoke detectors, smoke detector checks, and other such events. People also use the hashtag #FirePreventionWeek to spread the word about this week online.