City of Bartow Fire Department Reminds Our Residents to "Pay Attention to Fire Prevention!"

October is when Bartow Fire Department joins forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to review fire safety tips for our residents. The 2023 theme is "Cooking Safety Starts with You. Pay Attention to Fire Prevention."

Cooking brings family and friends together, provides an outlet for creativity and can be relaxing. But did you know that cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries? By following a few safety tips you can prevent these fires.

“Cook with Caution”

•  Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or
  curtains — away from your stovetop.
• If you have a small (grease) cooking fire and decide to fight the fire...
  • On the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
  • For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
  If you have any doubt about fighting a small fire…
  • Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
  • Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from outside the home.

Are you prepared for a fire? Although it’s difficult to prepare for the unexpected, reviewing the information below and taking action based on it to plan for a fire is strongly recommended… and don’t forget to practice your escape plan!

• Install working smoke alarms on every level; and inside and outside of each sleeping area.
• Develop a fire escape plan that identifies two ways out of each room and a family meeting place outside.
• Make sure your plan allows for any specific needs in your household. If everyone knows what to do, everyone can get out quickly.
• Practice using the plan, at least twice a year.
• Some studies have shown that some children and adults may not awaken to the sound of a smoke alarm; they may need help waking up.
• If the smoke alarm sounds: Go to your closest exit, and if you run into smoke, turn and use another way out. If you must exit through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit. Don’t take time to pick up belongings; just get out and help others get out. Move fast but stay calm.

Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the country. For 85 years fire departments have observed Fire Prevention Week, making it the longest running public health and safety observance on record.

For more information contact: City of Bartow Fire Department, 534-5044

Fire Prevention Week History

The history of National Fire Prevention Week has it roots in the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred on October 8, 1871. This tragic conflagration killed some 300 people, left 100,000 homeless and destroyed more than 17,000 structures. The origin of the fire has generated speculation since its occurrence, with the fact and fiction becoming blurred over the years. One popular legend has it that Mrs. O’Leary was milking her cow when the animal kicked over a lamp, setting the O'Leary barn on fire and starting the spectacular blaze. Another bit of trivia is that the fire spread away from the O’Leary home. Considering the amazing amount of destruction, it was very interesting that their home did not burn. How ever the massive fire began, it swiftly took its toll, burning more than 2000 acres in 27 hours.

On the same day as this fire, there had been a fire burning in the woods outside of a small town named Peshtigo, in Wisconsin, for two to three weeks. The same winds that fanned the Great Chicago Fire resulted in a huge flare up of this fire. It blew through the town of Peshtigo, burning all but one structure. It also burned a dozen other villages, killing 1,200 to 2,500 people and charring approximately 1.5 million acres.

Due to these two fires, October 8, 1871 was the single deadliest day due to fire ever in America.

President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the first National Fire Prevention Week, October 4 - 10 1925 He noted that in the previous year some 15,000 lives were lost to fire in the United States. Calling the loss "startling", President Coolidge's proclamation stated, "This waste results from the conditions which justify a sense of shame and horror; for the greater part of it could and ought to be prevented... It is highly desirable that every effort be made to reform the conditions which have made possible so vast a destruction of the national wealth."

Thus Fire Prevention week was born. It is commemorated each year during the full week containing October the 8th. For us, and most other departments, October is now basically Fire Prevention Month.