National Fire Prevention Week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Over the course of two days, the fire reportedly killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. On June 1, the National Fire Protection Association announced “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep: Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm” as the theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign. With this theme, its goal is to better educate the public about NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code®, which requires a smoke alarm in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home (referred to as the “‘sleepy’ smoke alarm requirement”). On October 2, President Oba proclaimed October 4 through October 10, 2015, as Fire Prevention Week.
Additional Sources: National Fire Protection Association, About Fire Prevention Week