Fire Prevention is one of the most comprehensive safety considerations in our daily lives, whether we are at home, school, work, indoors, outdoors or in open spaces. There are specific safety concerns we focus awareness on throughout the year, including our homes, vehicles and devices, educating children on safety steps at home and school, and seasonal concerns such as weather and holiday activities.
Each year in early October, The Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal promotes Fire Prevention Week with general information about hazards and safety that exist throughout the year. The OSFM shares frequent and seasonal messages to remind us of specific safety topics each month, including home fire safety at home, schools, public spaces, and with prevention for potential hazards.
Fire Prevention Week reinforces the best practices for safety, which includes being informed of how to identify and address fire hazards in our homes with our families, and with your local fire department for education and advice on any particular concerns.
Find your local experts using the OSFM website, https://sfm.illinois.gov/ , then click on Resources then Fire Dept Search.
Did you know?
- A fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the U.S. every 23 seconds
- Cooking is the No. 1 cause of home fires
- Nearly 2/3 of home fire fatalities happen in homes without working smoke alarms
- U.S. fire departments responded to 1.39 million fires in 2024
- Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do
Fire Safety Checklist
- Test smoke alarms regularly
- Create and practice a home escape plan with your family
- Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children
- Never leave cooking unattended
- Wet burning materials before throwing away
- Replace damaged electrical cords
- Replace appliances that smell, smoke or overheat
- Store flammable liquids outside the home in safety cans
