Hey, Fire Prevention Folks!
Are you and your family prepared against the risk of uncontrolled fire? If not, it’s the perfect time to make sure everyone in your family is aware of fire safety tips and what to do to help prevent fires. Not only is today National Fire Prevention Day, but the entire week (until Saturday) is dedicated to the awareness of preventative fire tips. 
This is a week that goes back to 1925 when the President, Calvin Coolidge, proclaimed the week of October 9th ‘Fire Prevention Week.’ This week is recognized as Fire Prevention Week due to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. While the cause of the fire is unknown, one of Mrs. O’ Leary’s cows gets a bad rep, blamed for having kicked over a lantern in the barn.
The fire spread feverishly through Chicago, leaving death and destruction in its wake and burning for more than 24 hours. On behalf of Everything Summer Camp, I’d like to share some tips on fire safety to help spread the word of fire prevention awareness:
• Working smoke alarms reduce the risks of fire fatality by almost 50%. You should test your smoke alarm once a month to make sure the batteries are still good and that they’re working properly. You should install smoke alarms on every level of your home and every bedroom.
• Talk to your kids about fire safety. Tell them never to play with matches or lighters. Be sure you always keep these items up and out of reach of young children.
• Have a plan for an emergency escape of your home in case of a fire. You should have two exits in mind and go over the plan with everyone in your family. Practicing drills like this can be just as fun as it is smart.
• Teach your children to get low and not to panic when they hear the smoke alarm go off.
• Never leave a hot oven, stovetop, or fry pan unattended.
• Practice proper limits on power from a single outlet.
Thanks for reading, Fire Preventers. Stay safe!
- John