Since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday in which October 9 is in to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.

For the third year in a row, the Fire Prevention Week campaign is, Don’t Wait – Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 years. Because of the National Fire Protection Association found that the public has many misconceptions about smoke alarms, this may put them at an increase risk in the event of a home fire.

Some common causes of a house fire and some solutions are:

• Candles – try switching to battery-operated candles that perform like open-flame candles
• Electrical – regularly check to ensure they’re all in good shape and replace ones that aren’t. Also, don’t overload circuits.
• Cooking – always make sure that anything on stovetop has your undivided attention.
• Heating – When using space heaters, make sure they’re far away enough from other objects. Also, homeowners should have their central heating equipment professionally inspected and serviced each heating season.
• Smoking – Institute a rule of no smoking indoors. In addition cigarettes should be doused with water to ensure they’re fully extinguished.

Smoke alarms are crucial elements in the early detection of fires. Because they are very low maintenance, there’s no excuse for you not to take the precautions for fire prevention. Yours and your family’s lives can be saved when fire prevention is taken and you have working detectors in your home.

If you have any questions regarding an incident involving a fire, don’t hesitate to call or email  — the Beattie Law Firm is skilled in such cases.