Oct. 5-11, 2014 is National Fire Prevention Week, but here in the City of Yakima, we are going to consider the entire month of October Fire Prevention Month! This year’s theme is “Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month”.
Did you know that Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 in which up to 300 people died, over 100,000 people were left homeless, and roughly 3.3 square miles were destroyed by fire? This fire burned from Sunday October 8, to early Tuesday October 10, 1871. It is annually observed during the week in which October 9 falls.
Today, we use this time to bring specific attention to Fire Prevention. There are countless ways that each of us can help prevent fires. Below are a few short Public Service Announcement YouTube videos with tips for Fire Prevention:
Fire Prevention Checklist on Kitchen Safety
Fire Prevention Checklist on Smoke Detectors
Fire Prevention Checklist Escape Plan