National Fire Prevention Month

The grass is always greener around the fire hydrant.

Jeff Rich

According to the National Fire Protection Association, seven people die every day from home fires on average, taking more lives each year than all other natural disasters in the U.S. National Fire Prevention Month helps educate families about the dangers of fires, how easy it can be for fires to start, and how much easier it can be to prevent them.

As a popular holiday, National Fire Prevention Month gives people the chance to learn how they can make their lives safer while also learning about the history of national fire emergencies.

History of National Fire Prevention Month

Similar to Fire Prevention Week, National Fire Prevention Month memorializes the Great Chicago Fire, a fire that desolated the city of Chicago and has left over 100,000 homeless in October of 1871.

The National Fire Protective Association sponsors this month-long observance as a way to teach parents and children how to prevent fires in their own homes and learn what to do when a fire occurs.

Chicago has made improvements on fire prevention policies throughout the city since that incident, including more full roads, easier access to the fire hydrants, and better home conditions.

All October, families get to learn about better ways to prevent fires, including methods such as inspecting your heat sources, maintain your electrical cords and updating your smoke alarms.

This monthly holiday began during the early 1900s, wherein 1922; the National Fire Protection Association sponsored Fire Prevention Week as a way to prevent events like this from happening. This sister holiday was approved by President Calvin Coolidge, who proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance in 1925.

How to Celebrate National Fire Prevention Month

Here are some ways that you can participate in National Fire Prevention Month: Develop a fire escape plan with everyone in your household and practice it at least twice a year. Install smoke alarms in your home, on every level, and outside each sleeping area.

Test them once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year if required. Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what they should do if they hear one. Make sure all household members know two ways to escape from every room.

Establish a family meeting spot outside. You can also help others understand this tips by sharing this holiday on your favorite social media websites using the hashtag #firepreventionmonth.