In Canada and the United States, Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th. The origins date back to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which caused untold destruction and an estimated 300 deaths.
Today, Fire Prevention Week is more than just an act of remembrance; it is a full week dedicated to raising awareness about fire safety and prevention, with the ultimate goal of minimizing the frequency of preventable fires.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about this critically important week of action. We’ll also explain why having often-overlooked fire-related tools, like the Shutgun Fire Sprinkler Shut-Off Tool, is so important.
The History of Fire Prevention Week
While Fire Prevention Week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, it actually traces its origins to 1911, the 40th anniversary of the event. Forty years after the fire, the Fire Marshals Association of North America called for a National Fire Prevention Day, held annually on the same day the fire tore through Chicago.
Just over a decade later, in 1922, the National Fire Protection Association in the United States and the Dominion Fire Prevention Association in Canada held an annual meeting in Ottawa. They decided to expand the event to a full week of remembrance and fire prevention actions that would commemorate the Great Chicago Fire and reduce the risk of another tragedy like it occurring.
Today, both countries observe the start of the week on the same date. The week always begins on the first day of the week that October 9th lands, as the Great Chicago Fire lasted from October 8th to 10th, 1871, with the 9th being the most destructive day of the fire.
What Is Involved in Fire Prevention Week
Starting in 1925, Fire Prevention Week has been given a specific theme, which helps avoid repetition, keep participants engaged, and address a broader range of fire safety and prevention strategies.
While the main theme is always preventing fires and saving lives, the themes can range from learning about cooking safety to checking smoke alarm batteries.
In addition to covering the annual theme, fire departments, schools, and other organizations will hold numerous events and advertising campaigns during Fire Prevention Week that cover all of the main fire safety tips, including planning escape routes, running fire drills, checking that fire safety equipment is in good working order, preventing unsafe storage of flammables, and much more.
No matter which year it is hosted or what the annual theme is, the ultimate goal is always to lower the number of fires, prevent unnecessary deaths and injuries, and keep workplaces, homes, schools, and other properties safe through education and awareness.
Why Is Fire Prevention Week Important?
With Fire Prevention Week running for over 100 years in both Canada and the United States, you might wonder why the event is so important. The truth is fire safety is not something the average person thinks about as often as they should.
By taking a week to focus on how devastating fires can be for property and wildlife, as well as injuries and loss of life, people can learn how to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their communities.
From child-friendly lessons taught in schools to more adult-oriented tips on reducing fire hazards at home and in the workplace, this direct week of education and awareness can help reduce the unnecessary devastation that fires cause.
Plus, bringing fire safety to the forefront of public discourse can bring communities together. Learning how everyone has a part to play helps reduce the risk of fires for everyone.
Stressing the Importance of Fire Safety Tools
A major theme of every Fire Prevention Week is stressing the importance of fire safety equipment. From functioning smoke alarms to having the correct types of fully inspected and certified fire extinguishers on hand, Fire Prevention Week helps stress the importance of being prepared for fires, even if you have done everything in your power to prevent a fire from occurring.
Other Fire-Related Safety Tools
While all of the fire prevention equipment and tools covered during Fire Prevention Week are vital, another piece of equipment that is regularly overlooked is the tools required to deactivate a fire sprinkler system, like the Shutgun Fire Sprinkler Shut-Off Tool.
While well-maintained fire sprinkler systems are one of the most important components of any fire prevention plan, accidental activations, misfires, or situations where a fire sprinkler head continues to expel water after successfully extinguishing a fire can result in widespread and costly water damage.
This is where the Shutgun can save you tens of thousands of dollars in water damage. This simple, handheld tool lets you quickly and easily deactivate sprinkler heads, so you don’t have to wait for first responders.
Your fire sprinkler system remains a critical component of your fire safety and prevention arsenal, but you enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have the power to minimize water damage yourself.
It is highly recommended that a Shutgun be kept with every fire extinguisher, ensuring that they are immediately accessible in the event of a potential flooding incident.
One way to achieve this is to invest in a Custom Shutgun Case, which allows you to easily purchase the exact number and types of Shutguns required for your specific fire sprinkler system. Shutgun Wall Mounts and Laminated Instruction Cards will enable you to position your Shutgun Tools throughout your facility.
Final Words
Fire Prevention Week in Canada is a time to reflect on the past while also preparing for the future. It reminds us of the importance of fire safety and education in preventing tragedies.
While we are on the topic of fire safety, it’s also critical to remember that while fire sprinklers do play an essential role in preventing fire-related destruction, accidental activations can lead to serious water damage. This is why having the correct type of Shutgun Fire Sprinkler Shut-Off Tool is so important for mitigating risk.