From 2011 through 2013 there were more than 68,000 chimney related fires reported in the United States causing over 60 deaths. For us here at Old Smokey’s, that is unacceptable. That is why we put the safety of our customers and their families first and foremost with every job that we complete. We are serious about fire safety and that’s why we are proud to promote National Fire Prevention Week from October 8th through the 14th.
What is National Fire Prevention Week?
National Fire Prevention Week was first sponsored by the NFPA in 1922 on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls. This date was chosen to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Coincidentally, this date is a perfect time to be thinking about fire safety because it is a time when a lot of people are starting to turn on the furnaces and use their fireplaces for the first time. National Fire Prevention Week was later proclaimed as a national health observance in 1925 by President Calvin Coolidge. To date, it is the longest running national health observance in the United States.
Every year, the NFPA picks a theme for National Fire Prevention Week. This year the theme is “Every second counts, plan two ways out.” It focuses on family preparedness in the case of a fire by making sure everyone living in a house knows at least two escape routes.
Fire Safety is a Family Affair
Make fire safety a family project! This means making sure that everyone is involved in the family’s fire prevention and fire emergency planning. Use National Fire Prevention Week as an opportunity to go around your home and check for any fire hazards. Also use this as an opportunity to check all fire and carbon monoxide alarms and go over all you fire emergency plans such as determining escape routes and deciding safe places for your family to meet up once they escape.
It’s starting to get chilly outdoors and pretty soon you will be starting to run your fireplaces and other heating systems more frequently. That’s why now is the perfect time to be thinking about and discussing fire safety with your family. It’s also the perfect time for an annual chimney and fireplace inspection by one of our CSIA-certified chimney technicians. If you have any questions regarding fire safety feel free to call us at (800) 876-6539 or contact us on our contact page.