American Safety Zone - Fire Safety Week

Fire Safety Week

The Tradition of Fire Safety Week

Most have us have heard at least some small tale that stems from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. In that year, on October 8th the infamous fire was started that would end up taking more than 250 lives. The fire devastated Chicago infrastructure, claiming also 17,400 buildings and burning over 200 acres. The fire continued to blaze through the next day. Almost 50 years later President Wilson designated the week of October 9th as fire safety week. The first fire safety week was officially recognized in 1922 and since then every year there are numerous fire safety week events that go on across the country in an effort to teach people all about prevention and safety.

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 has been the most commemorated fire, but it is interesting to note that on that same day an even more devastating fire took place not far away in Peshtigo, Wisconsin. This fire claimed the lives of 1,152 and destroyed 16 towns. By the time that the fire finally subsided it had also burned over 1 million acres of land, making it the worst forest fire in American history.

Each year fire safety week has a theme, in 1959 it was "Fire Prevention is Your Job...Too" and from 1967-1972 the theme was a simple and straightforward "Fire Hurts". This year is dedicated to candle safety which is increasingly important in this country. Each year hundreds of fires are started because of the lack of candle safety on many people's part. It is the first time that a fire safety week has concentrated on fire safety as it pertains to candle safety, which is a much more specific topic than has ever been. Usually the theme is quite broad and it is a nice change that the national Fire Prevention Association has chosen to hone in on a particular topic, especially one that causes so many fires each year that could easily be prevented. We should all pay a bit more attention during fire safety week and do our part in prevention!