Fire Safety Awareness: Charge into Fire Safety!
FIRE SAFETY AWARENESSNEWSLETTERS
October is Fire Safety Awareness Month: Charge into Fire Safety
Kenneth Bargers | October 2026 Newsletter
Fire Prevention - Be proactive and prepare your home
It's October! During this month the leaves will begin changing, and soon it will be time for bonfires, fireplaces, and heaters to take center stage. Each October, the newsletter focuses on fire and awareness information. October has long been designated as Fire Safety and Awareness Month by many industry associations, organizations, government and fire entities with an official dedicated theme during National Fire Prevention Week™ (FPW™).
Many of us have been touched by the devastation of fire, either personally or through a story from a family member or friend. Let's do our part and prepare our homes for fire-safe fall and winter.
Replace batteries in smoke/heat detectors - or - replace the detectors as necessary.
Have your fireplace inspected and cleaned.
Verify that you have a fire extinguisher on each level or large area of the home.
Test your smoke detectors with your preferred monitoring service - always call first to arrange the test!
Verify that you have an adequate number of detectors throughout the home.
Create a fire escape plan for the home and meeting place - practice once a month with your household.
Clean or replace your dryer vent hose.
Test and/or install a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor. Carbon monoxide (the silent killer) is the #1 cause of accidental poisoning in the United States.
“Charge into Fire Safety!™”
Fire Prevention Week™ is October 4–10, 2026. “Charge Into Fire Safety™. Safe Charging Is a Superpower” focuses on the everyday charging habits that can help reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires and keep homes and communities safer.
Plug in. Power up. Stay safe. The campaign stresses how important it is to BUY, CHARGE, and RECYCLE safely when it comes to lithium-ion batteries.
Since 1922, the NFPA has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country. During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.
Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.
In a fire, mere seconds can mean the difference between a safe escape and a tragedy. Fire safety education isn’t just for school children. Teenagers, adults, and the elderly are also at risk in fires, making it important for every member of the community to take some time every October to make sure they understand how to stay safe in case of a fire. Learn more about Fire Prevention Week…
Quick Facts
National
The 2024 national estimates (the most recent available data reported October 31, 2025) for residential building fires and losses show that there were:
In 2024, local fire departments responded to an estimated 1.38 million fires
These fires caused an estimated 3,920 civilian fire deaths and 11,780 reported civilian fire injuries.
The property damage caused by these fires was estimated at $19 billion.
A home structure fire was reported every 96 seconds
A home fire death occurred every three hours.
A home fire injury occurred every 59 minutes.
Nearly one-quarter of the fires (23 percent) occurred in home properties, yet these fires caused three-quarters of the civilian fire deaths (75 percent) and injuries (75 percent).
For overall home fires, the 2024 rate of 8.9 deaths per 1,000 reported
Tennessee
Tennessee historically has had a high fire mortality rate along with many other southern states. In fact, 7 of the top 10 highest fire mortality states are located in the U.S. Census Southern Regions.
Per the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS):
Residential structure fire casualties – 14 deaths and 19.8 injuries per 1000 fires
In 2025, home fire fatalities were 32
In 2024, home fire fatalities were 49
SOURCES
National Fire Protection Association
TN Department of Commerce and Insurance
Copyright © 2026 Kenneth Sells Nashville | Nashville Kenneth All Rights Reserved. All information deemed to be accurate but not guaranteed; Buyer's/Seller's Agent to verify all pertinent information.
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ADARO Realty LIC 261466 (615) 376-1688 O 1187 Old Hickory Blvd, Suite 125, Brentwood TN 37027 A adarorealty.com W an agency of Crye-Leike Real Estate Services