The Great Chicago Fire Inspired Fire Safety Standards

ALBANY — National Fire Prevention Week runs from Oct. 5 - 11 and is a time to recognize fire safety and prevention. Several websites provide fire safety information and tips.

Fire Prevention has been with us since the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 that claimed as many as 300 lives and leveled blocks of the city as it spread across the Chicago River and went from building to building. The science of fire found many issues that contributed to the tremendous loss of life and devastation and led officials to develop measures to try to prevent such devastation from happening again.

Mrs. O'Leary's cow, which allegedly knocked over a lantern in a barn, is often credited for the origin of the fire. O'Leary and her cow were exonerated in 1997 and the cause believed to be started during a craps game or by the guy looking for a bottle of beer who accidentally knocked over the lantern.  

Whatever its cause, it took place during a severe drought and there is speculation the blaze was related to  other fires in the Midwest that day. There were three other major fires along the shores of Lake Michigan that same day. One fire consumed Peshtigo, Wisconsin and a dozen other villages. There were 1,200 to 2,500 people killed and 1.5 million aces  charred. It is the deadliest fire in history. Holland, Michigan also burned to the ground and the community of Manitee went up in flames. There was also the Port Huron fire on the shore of Lake Huron and Urana, Illinois lost portions of its downtown area. All this took place from Oct. 8-12. The results of these fires were devastating.

In Chicago, the fire's spread was aided by the city's use of wood as the predominant building material in a style called  balloon frame construction. 

Another contributing factor to the fire's spread was a meteorological phenomenon known as a  fire whirl. A fire whirl is created as hot air rises and comes into contact with cooler air and it begins to spin, creating a tornado-like effect. These fire whirls are likely what drove flaming debris so high and so far, that it jumped the river. 

Of the approximately  324,000  inhabitants of Chicago in 1871, 90,000 Chicago residents (about 28 percent of the population) were left homeless. 120 bodies were recovered, but the death toll may have been as high as 300. The fire covered 2,000 acres.

It prompted the city to rewrite its fire standards. The movement was spurred by leading insurance executives. Fire-prevention reformers began to develop one the nation's leading firefighting forces.

The best way to fight fire is to prevent it in the first place. And officials say it is not just a one week event.

This year's fire prevention campaign focuses on a newer fire danger,  lithium-ion batteries with the theme: "CHARGE into Fire Safety." The campaign works to educate everyone about using these batteries safely and stresses  the importance of buying, charging and recycling them safely.

Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries are expected to increase along with consumer demand for technology. The batteries are found in electric vehicles and people are using E-bike and e-scooters, in addition to many other uses.

Fire safety officials recommend you buy listed products and look for the safety certification marks such as UL, ETL or CSA, which indicate it meets important safety standards.

Charge devices safely by using the cords that come with the product, follow the manufacturer's instructions and buy new chargers from the manufacturer or one the manufacturer has approved. Charge on a hard surface and don't overcharge the device. Once it is fully charged, unplug it or remove the battery.

Recycle the batteries responsibly. Do not throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins because it could cause a fire. Recycle your device or battery at a safe battery recycling location. Visit call2recycle.org to  find a recycling spot near you. The former Walgreens Drug Store in Stamford was one of those site, but the store is now closed. There are several locations in Oneonta, Cobleskill and in Greene County. Use the locator on the website to find the nearest one.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, home fires are the number one cause of fires,  claiming thousands of lives each year, and many of these tragedies are preventable. Fires spread quickly, leaving little time to react. That’s why preparation is key.

Test Your Smoke Alarms: Ensure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas. Test them monthly and replace the batteries at least once a year.

Create a Fire Escape Plan: Map out two ways to exit every room in your home. Practice your escape plan with your family, including children, at least twice a year.

Stay in the Kitchen While Cooking: Unattended cooking is a leading cause of home fires. Always stay in the kitchen when using the stove or oven.

Keep Flammable Items Away from Heat Sources: Maintain a safe distance between flammable materials (like curtains, paper, and furniture) and heat sources such as space heaters or candles.

Know How to Use a Fire Extinguisher: Familiarize yourself with the PASS method — Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side.

The top three causes of fires in homes are cooking, heating equipment, and electrical malfunction (FEMA). A small flame to turn into a major blaze  in just 30 seconds.

Take extra care when making dinner; cooking is the leading cause of house fires in the nation. Additionally caused by faulty heating equipment and electrical malfunction, each year there’s an average of 358,000 house fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. These fires result in seven deaths every day. When engaging with your appliances, be sure everything is up to code and safe to use. Adhere to NFPA guidelines around open flames and you can prevent you and your family from becoming a statistic.