Fire safety: Every October, Fire Prevention Week and
Change your clock, change your battery
Fire Prevention Week: Practice Your Escape Plan
Each year, Fire Prevention Week falls around the 9th of October. This was the date in 1871 when Mrs. O'Leary's cow is alleged to have started the Great Chicago Fire.
For 2007, Fire Prevention Week is October 7-13. The theme this year is "Practice Your Escape Plan." While most Americans have a home fire escape plan, most haven't practiced it, according to a poll by the National Fire Protection Association.
To have a home fire escape plan is not enough. To escape safely, it is key that everyone in the home practice their plan. Visit the National Fire Protection Association Web site (external link) for more information.
Change your clock, change your battery
The annual "Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery!" safety program also occurs during the month of October.
The program promotes the adoption of a simple lifesaving habit: Change all smoke alarm batteries when you change your clocks back to Standard Time each fall.
Smoke alarm tips
- Change your smoke alarm batteries.
- Check your smoke alarms.
- Count your smoke alarms.
- Clean your smoke alarms.
Go to the Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery handout (PDF*, 158KB) for detailed information.
*Note: To view PDFs, free software from Adobe is required. See helpful hints for assistance.
To request information in alternate formats for people with disabilities, call 206-296-6600 or TTY 206-296-7217.
Related links
- National Fire Protection Association (external link)
- U.S. Fire Administration (external link)