Awareness/Event promotions Articles

This year more than ever it's important to focus our attention on Fire Prevention Week. According to the Washington Post, "Wildfires that have burned in Central and East Texas since Labor Day have created losses estimated at $250 million, making them the costliest in the state’s history." While the devastating fires can at least in part be attributed to widespread drought, it's still imperative to spread awareness about fire prevention.

That's where Fire Prevention Week comes in. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the authority on fire, electrical, and building safety, this year's Fire Prevention Week will take place October 9 through October 15. The nationally recognized event was established in 1920, initially as National Fire Prevention Day, to remember the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. NFPA reports that "since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls," making it the longest-running countrywide public health and safety observance on record.

This year's topic teaches participants how to keep themselves and their loved ones safer from fire. According to NFPA, the theme is officially: "It's Fire Prevention Week! Protect Your Family From Fire!" The organization's Web site offers plenty of resources and educational materials for helping to promote Fire Prevention Week.

Additionally, in an attempt to reach more people than ever, NFPA teamed up with Domino's Pizza this year to print "fire safety messages on top of pizza boxes throughout October" and "reward customers who have working smoke alarms." According to NFPA, "If all the smoke alarms in the home are working at delivery, the pizza is free." This unique initiative will transform normal pizza boxes into promotional products that will certainly encourage people to keep a working smoke alarm, as well as to be aware of how to prevent fires in their homes.

If you're interested in helping to spread the word about Fire Prevention Week, there are plenty of ways to do so. For example, if you're a teacher, NFPA's Web site provides a history of Fire Prevention Week and other resources for public educators. For more links to Fire Prevent Week materials, visit NFPA's Web site.

You can also help out by purchasing and distributing Fire Prevention Week giveaways. It's the perfect way to promote fire safety to your friends, family, and acquaintances. The best thing about these handouts is that they will live on way beyond Fire Prevention Week; they will serve as lasting reminders to check batteries in smoke detectors and to always have a plan in place in case of emergency.