According to legend, on October 8, 1871, Mrs. O’Leary was in her barn, milking her cow. The cow kicked over a lamp which started the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The fire burned for over 27 hours. When it was over, more than 300 people were killed, 100,000 people were left homeless, and over 1,700 structures were destroyed.
The Great Chicago fire sparked major efforts in fire prevention. Forty years later, the Fire Marshall’s Association of North America(FMANA) held the first Fire Prevention Day. In 1920 , President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Fire Prevention Week.
The Saturday during Fire Prevention Week is Fire Service Recognition Day.
Did You Know? Dalmatians became fire dogs because they were often kept around the horses at fire houses to guard them.
Remember “EDITH”, which stand for “Exit Drills In The Home”. Today is a good day to have a practice drill.
