OCTOBER 7, 2015
The streets were buzzing last night as the Louisa Fire Department opened their doors and rolled out the engines. Children lined the streets from 6-8 pm waiting on their turn to whiz through town with the sirens sounding the alarm. Sparky the Fire Dog made an appearance giving out helmets and balloons while he made new friends. Sparky was also happy to give out hugs and pause for pictures.
If you missed out last night the Fire Department will be offering fire truck rides again Saturday October 10, 2015 from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.
Each year since since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls. Each year the National Fire Protection Association releases a new theme, this year the theme is “Hear The Beep Where You Sleep”.
Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm!”
Fire Prevention Week was established to memorialize the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. It Tragically claimed the lives of more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on October 8, but raged out of control inflicting most of its damage on October 9, 1871.
For over 130 years most Americans believed the ill fated fire was started by a cow jumping over a lantern knocking it over and catching the barn on fire, however that theory has been debunked by Chicago historian Robert Cromie.
October 8, several fires started in Michigan and Wisconsin, as well as in Chicago.On the 40th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the Fire Marshals Association of North America,, decided that the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire should be honored by keeping the public informed about fire safety.
President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation. According to the National Archives and Records Administration’s Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. The President of the United States has signed a proclamation proclaiming a national observance during that week every year since 1925.
The Louisa Fire Department would like to remind everyone of the following
Safety Tips
- Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly.
- Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly.
- Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
- Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
- A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.
- Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
- For More Fire Safety Tips go to http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/fire-prevention-week
