October 2025 is Fire Safety and Awareness Month
October has long been designated as Fire Safety and Awareness Month by many industry associations, organizations, government and fire entities.
NEWSLETTERSFIRE SAFETY AWARENESS
October is Fire Safety Awareness Month
Kenneth Bargers | October 2025 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.
National Fire Prevention Week™ (FPW™) is October 5-11, 2025
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.
Charge into Fire Safety!
This year’s Fire Prevention Week™ (FPW™) campaign, October 5-11, “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home,” works to educate everyone about using these batteries safely. The campaign stresses how important it is to BUY, CHARGE, and RECYCLE safely when it comes to lithium-ion batteries.
Learn more about Fire Prevention Week… https://www.nfpa.org/Events/Fire-Prevention-Week
Quick Facts
National
The 2023 national estimates (the most recent available data) for residential building fires and losses show that there were:
344,600 fires.
2,890 deaths.
10,400 injuries.
$11,266,200,000 in dollar loss.
Overall trends
Overall trends for residential building fires and losses for the 10-year period of 2014 to 2023 show the following:
A 6% decrease in fires.
A 5% increase in deaths.
An 8% decrease in injuries.
A 25% increase in dollar loss.*
* This overall constant dollar-loss trend takes inflation into account by adjusting each year's dollar loss to its equivalent 2023 value.
Tennessee
Tennessee 9th in the Nation
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. In 2021 the US Fire Administration (USFA) found the fire rate in Tennessee to be the 9th worst in the nation. This high rank underscores the importance of continuing work in fire prevention statewide. In 2024, there were 104 fatalities.
Home Fire Escape Plan
SOURCES
National Fire Protection Association
TN Department of Commerce and Insurance
