CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Fire Prevention Week began Sunday, and the Chicago Fire Department is reminding people to stay safe — while walking through history.
The fire department posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, about the history of Fire Prevention Week, which has its roots here in Chicago.
CFD noted that the Great Chicago Fire began Oct. 8, 1871. It didn’t stop burning until Oct. 10. The fire killed about 300 people, destroyed 17,000 buildings and structures and caused about $200 million in damages. Adjusted for inflation, that amount would be nearly $4.5 billion today.
More than fifty years later, 1922, the National Fire Protection Association started Fire Protection Week to commemorate the Chicago Fire.
U.S. President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the first National Fire Prevention Week in 1925, and it's been celebrated every year since.
The 2023 Fire Prevention Week is centered around cooking safety. Officials said cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and related injuries. Some easy safety tips include turning pot handles toward the back of the stove, covering any small grease fires and staying aware of what you're cooking.
More fire prevention tips can be found here.
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram