October is Fire Prevention Month

National Fire Prevention Month is an annual observance every October, focused on raising awareness about fire safety and prevention. It serves as a reminder for communities to take steps to reduce fire risks at home, in schools, and workplaces. From understanding the history of this event to learning how to participate, National Fire Prevention Month encourages proactive fire safety measures that save lives and protect property.

History and Significance

The origins of National Fire Prevention Month date back to 1925 when President Calvin Coolidge declared the first National Fire Prevention Week in response to the devastating Great Chicago Fire of 1871. This fire claimed over 250 lives, displaced tens of thousands, and caused widespread destruction. The tragedy highlighted the need for better fire prevention education and public awareness. Over time, this effort expanded into National Fire Prevention Month, providing a broader platform to emphasize fire safety. The month-long observance honors the memory of past tragedies by promoting safety measures that help prevent similar disasters.

Key Themes and Focus Areas

Each year, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) introduces a theme to highlight critical areas of fire safety. Common focus areas include:

• Smoke Alarm Installation and Maintenance: Ensuring smoke alarms are present in homes and workplaces and that they are tested regularly.
• Fire Escape Planning: Encouraging families and employees to create and practice escape routes.
• Preventing Cooking Fires: As cooking fires are a leading cause of home fires, this theme promotes safe kitchen practices.
• Electrical Safety: Awareness about overloaded outlets, faulty wiring, and electrical appliance hazards.
• Wildfire Preparedness: In fire-prone areas, creating defensible space around homes and understanding evacuation procedures are key topics.

These themes rotate annually to address various fire risks, offering fresh education and practical advice on safety measures.

Why It Matters

Fire remains one of the most destructive forces, capable of quickly claiming lives, homes, and businesses. In 2020, there were over 356,000 residential fires reported in the United States alone, resulting in thousands of injuries and billions in damages. National Fire Prevention Month seeks to reduce these statistics by educating the public on how to identify risks and take preventive actions. Simple steps, such as installing smoke alarms or keeping flammable materials away from heat sources, can mean the difference between life and death. This month serves as a critical reminder that fire safety is everyone’s responsibility and requires ongoing vigilance.

How to Participate

There are many ways to get involved in National Fire Prevention Month, both individually and as part of a community:

• Conduct Home and Workplace Safety Checks: Test smoke alarms, check fire extinguishers, and identify potential fire hazards.
• Create and Practice Fire Escape Plans: Map out escape routes and ensure everyone in the household or office knows what to do in case of a fire.
• Attend Fire Safety Events: Local fire departments often host demonstrations, safety workshops, and educational sessions.
• Spread Awareness: Share fire prevention tips on social media, encourage friends and family to stay proactive, and participate in community campaigns.
• Support Fire Safety Organizations: Consider volunteering or donating to fire departments, the NFPA, or other organizations that promote fire safety.

Conclusion

National Fire Prevention Month is a time to reflect on the importance of fire safety and take meaningful steps to protect yourself and your community. Through education, awareness, and action, fire risks can be significantly reduced, ensuring that fewer lives and properties are affected by preventable fires. By participating in this month-long observance, we help build safer environments where tragedies can be avoided, and fire preparedness becomes second nature.

FEATURED Solution Selling Show Supplier: Leatherhead Tools

(This section will cover a different supplier each month that has been a guest on our podcast)

First appearance on our show HERE

Second appearance HERE

Leatherhead Tools is a well-respected manufacturer specializing in high-quality tools designed for firefighters, rescue teams, and first responders. With a focus on durability, reliability, and functionality, Leatherhead Tools has earned a solid reputation in the industry. Founded on the principles of craftsmanship and innovation, Leatherhead Tools offers a wide range of products including axes, hammers, hooks, and Halligan bars. Each tool is engineered to meet the rigorous demands of emergency situations, ensuring that they perform under the most extreme conditions.

Leatherhead Tools continues to be a go-to brand for professionals who need reliable equipment in critical situations. Whether breaking through barriers, ventilating buildings, or extricating victims, Leatherhead Tools are built to deliver when it matters most. Leatherhead Tools’ commitment to quality and innovation makes them a trusted partner for those who put their lives on the line to protect others. Their tools are not just instruments; they are lifelines in the hands of skilled professionals.

Key Products and Their Benefits

• Halligan Bar: Leatherhead Halligan Bars are designed with feedback from firefighters telling them what they want and need in a Halligan tool. Leatherhead's Halligan's come ”tuned” right out of the box with reference lines on the forks and adz for setting the tool during conventional forcible entry. They have squared shoulders, and thin forks for those tight door forces. The adz end has a smooth striking surface to eliminate awkward striking angles, and is designed to help prevent “skinning” an outward swinging door, flatter than previous models. The forks have a one inch spread between the tines to remove doorknobs for through-the-lock techniques. Leatherhead Tools uses traditional forging and high carbon steel to produce their bars.

• Ultra-Force Axe: This elite forcible entry striking tool is taking the standard force axe up a level. Paired with Leatherhead's Halligan Bar, firefighters will have an upper edge when forcing entry. The Ultra-Force axe only comes in one weight, 8 lb. to provide the desired weight and force to get the job done. This tool was made with the understanding that not every department has large staffing. How can we help make forced entry less of a struggle for the single person or a two person team? Offer a tool with a mechanical advantage and leverage, and the Ultra-Force Axe has it!

Reading Corner

(This section covers what I am currently reading each month)

Business Book

My next BB that I am starting tin October is Berne Brown's: Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.

This is another one that I have been waiting to read for a long time. I am really looking forward to what I can learn from Berne in this book that I have heard soooo many good things about.

I saw a post on LinkedIn about her which led me to watch her Netflix video, which led me to finding her TedX talk. Which has now led me to FINALLY buying a book of hers. I started it this morning (10-1-24).

Recreational Read

I am still reading Bill O'Reilly's, Killing Lincoln, about halfway through it. I am enjoying how each chapter is a different day leading up to Lincoln's assassination. Over the past weekend I read up to one day prior to John Wilkes Booth's killing of Lincoln.

I can't help but find it eerie that I am reading this book, and a former president of the US has had two assassination attempts on recently.

"October is a hallelujah! reverberating in my body year-round..." — John Nichols

James' Jam: Halloween!!

Halloween is hands down my favorite holiday of the year. I have always loved dressing up as whatever I wanted and going out to collect candy. Seeing all the cool houses and decorations was always an added bonus.

I always love to see the looks on the kids faces and the parents get a big kick out of what I do to! Halloween, for me, started last month as I kick my production into high gear.

Halloween of the Past

Decorations back in the 80's and early 90's wasn't anything like it is today. So most people made their own stuff then. I guess that is why I build quite a bit of my own decorations as well. Or I buy something and I like to modify it to make it more scary or realistic!

My mom would always turn our mudroom into a mini haunt to scare the kiddos that stopped by our house. Our house was one of the neighborhood favorites to stop by. When I became too cool to go trick or treating (about 14 or 15), I started helping my mom out with Halloween. I would climb out my parents bedroom window to be on the roof of our front porch and would run around throwing candy down to kids as they walked by! Probably not the safest thing to do........

Present Day

Since 2020 I've been doing a specific theme each Halloween instead of something random like prior years. We like to give out full size candy bars, that way the kids get a good trick and a good treat! The real little kids also get a bonus glow bracelet/necklace!!!

• 2020 I was a plague doctor (had do do it)
• 2021 I was a mad scientist (this was the first year I started doing tents to make a mini outdoor haunt!)

• 2022 was an insane asylum (I bought a real straight coat jacket)
• 2023 was Hell and I was the devil (which went over well since it snowed, so Hell froze over that year!)

I was surprised my two old tents (each 10' x 10') were able to hold up to all the snow that fell last year! I had a little propane heater inside to help keep me warm from sitting on my devils throne all night.

This year's theme is Witches! I plan on making a witch burned at the stake to be in the center of the front yard, with burning embers at her feet. Can't wait to see the looks on everybody's faces!

What will your costume be this year? Do you do a theme with your kids when you go out trick-or-treating?