National Fire Prevention Week is observed in the United States and Canada, beginning on the first Sunday in October. Its goal is to keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention. 

It was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. This fire killed 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 continued into and did most of its damage on October 9, 1871.

President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the first National Fire Prevention Week on October 4 to October 10, 1925. 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.

Fire Prevention Week Activities