Fire Prevention Week is observed by the National Fire Protection Association during October in recognition of the Chicago Fire of 1871.

That historic conflagration burned from Oct. 8-10 and killed approximately 300 people, destroyed roughly 3.3 square miles of the city and left more than 100,000 residents homeless.

The theme of this year’s observance is “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen.” Kevin T. McSweeney, fire marshal at UD, notes that last year unattended cooking was the number one cause of nuisance alarms in campus residence halls and also the number one cause of home fires.

Learn more about fire prevention and fire protection programs on Environmental Health and Safety’s website.