It's FIRE PREVENTION WEEK in Los Angeles and across the country. Simply put, this is a great week to collaborate with your family to ensure your home is as safe as possible. It's also a great time to become aware of fire safety overall!

Where did Fire Prevention Week come from?

In 1871, there was a terrible fire in Chicago, Illinois. The fire burned for two days beginning on October 8, and killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. Much of the most severe damage occurred on the second day. Today, we refer to his event as, "The Great Chicago Fire!"

Some of you may have heard about Mrs. Catherine O'Leary and her cow. They were blamed for the fire for many years. Today, most experts believe the fire may have started near the O'Leary barn, but not as a result of a jumpy cow and an oil lamp. Regardless, this fire caught the attention of the nation, as fire prevention was an almost unheard of practice at the time.

The Chicago fire that broke out on October 8 is not the only reason we use this week to promote fire prevention. On that same date in 1871, one of the most devastating fires in American history broke out in Northeast Wisconsin. The Peshtigo Fire destroyed 16 complete towns, killed 1,152 people, and didn't stop until it had consumed more than a million acres of land.

Today, thanks to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), this week is set aside every year to promote fire safety and the use of smoke alarms.

So, what's up with Fire Prevention Week?

This is a great week to double check with your family to ensure you have smoke alarms in place. Make certain they work. Do you know how?

Learn more about smoke alarms [ smoke alarms ]

Does your family has an emergency escape plan? If you do, practice it this week. If you don't, you should create one!

Learn more about escape plans [ create a family escape plan ]

This week, the MySafe:LA team will be at several fire stations across the city, handing out FIRE SAFETY MATERIALS. Watch for news briefs on the HOME page for more information.

If you want to learn more about fire safety, why not take our online courses in fire safety?

Visit our ONLINE CLASSROOM now! [ MySafe:LA Classroom ] NOTE: Registration required.

MySafe:LA and the Los Angeles Fire Department have created a plan all about home fire safety. It's called FireSmart:LA and it can help you and your family become more secure when it comes to the issues of fire danger. Our spokesperson is Pau Gasol from the Lakers and during the school year, Pau and the MySafe:LA team will be visiting schools in Los Angeles. Would you like us to come to your school?

Learn more about FireSmart:LA [ FireSmart:LA overview ]

Watch Pau Gasol from the Lakers visit a school with MySafe:LA [ Pau Gasol school visit ]

REMEMBER: Home fire safety is something you do BEFORE a fire breaks out. If you ever suspect there is fire in your home or apartment, follow your escape plan and after you're safely out of the home, please dial 9-1-1 and tell the emergency operator where you live. Speak clearly and make certain you give good directions. Your Los Angeles Fire Department will be there within a few minutes to check things out.

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