This year, the National Fire Prevention Association is celebrating 100 years of Fire Prevention Week™
Fire Prevention Week was started to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. It is dedicated to educating countless Americans on the importance of fire prevention and how to stay safe in the event of a fire. This century of dedication should be honored, and what better way to honor this than increased participation and focus on the subject during Fire Prevention Week (Sunday, October 9 through Saturday, October 15)
Dedicate time during this week to focus on fire prevention in your workplace and consider involving your employees in this initiative. By sharing with them the importance of fire safety, you may be helping save lives. Encourage employees to focus on the subject not just at work but at home as well.
One thing you can do is make this week fun for employees. Consider developing a company-wide challenge, such as the one below. Assign the challenge to individuals or teams and declare winners based on total points and/or by entering them to win simply by completing the challenge. Consider giving prizes or recognition to participants.
Workplace challenge:
Challenge item
Response
Points
Find the location of the nearest fire extinguisher in your work area. Note when the last inspection took place.
5
Read and understand the label on this fire extinguisher. What type of fire will this extinguisher put out?
5
Read and understand the label on this fire extinguisher. Write down the P.A.S.S. acronym meaning.
P:
A:
S:
S:
10
Study the emergency map (if available) or your company’s emergency response plan and note where your meeting point is in the event of an evacuation.
10
Write down, in your opinion, the most likely potential cause of fire in your workplace.
15
Total points (score your own)
Now, take it a step further. Take the challenge home:
Challenge Item
Points
Check if Complete
Test every smoke alarm in your residence by pushing the test button. Verify that all smoke detectors are not older than 10 years. MMA’s Dave Rumsey walks you through how to do this in this helpful video.
5
Choose a gathering point for your family in the event of an evacuation.
5
Discuss your family’s fire plan together. Include discussion on the escape route/plan for bedrooms on a second floor.
10
Verify that your home fire extinguisher is charged and readily assessable.
10
Write down, in your opinion, the most likely potential cause of fire in your home.
15
Total points (score your own)
Honor the work done over these last 100 years and make this Fire Prevention Week a focus at your organization.
