In commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, the week of October 6-12 is a time to raise awareness of practices you and your family can do to help prevent these disasters, and to recognise the heroism of our fire-fighters.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has announced that this year’s campaign is for households to develop and practice a home fire escape plan. Their motto for this year is “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!”

Here are some things you and your family can do at home to practice fire-safety:

1. Have working smoke alarms on every level of the home
2. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and near other high-risk areas like the fireplace
3. Practice home escape plans twice a year 
4. Consider installing home fire sprinklers
5. Practice heating safety this winter; have heating equipment inspected every year
6. Keep the stove and over clear
7. Don’t leave something cooking in the kitchen unattended
8. Always clean out the lint filter in your dryer after a load is finished
9. Check electrical cords for frayed wires. Repair or replace damaged cords immediately
10. Know the locations of power shutoffs for utilities such as gas lines, circuit breakers, appliances, and fuses
11. Store flammable products in a cool, dark cupboard and keep combustible materials like paint and gasoline in their original containers
12. Install a durable metal fire screen in front of your fireplace and give ashes ample time to cool down before disposing of them

This weekend, take the time to check off some of these tips. These small but important actions can keep you and your family safe from fire.