HISTORIC TRIANGLE — Fire Prevention Week, celebrated annually during the week of Oct. 9, is returning to the Hampton Roads area during the week of Oct. 5-11. To celebrate, local departments are hosting several open house events.
Fire Prevention Week first began in 1922, when the National Fire Protection Association sponsored the first public observance. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week as a national observance. Since then, it has become the longest-running public health observance in the nation’s history.
During the weekly celebration, children, adults, and teachers learn to stay safe in case of a fire. Firefighters also provide public education to their constituents in an effort to decrease deaths associated with fires.
The week of Oct. 9 was selected as it commemorates the Great Chicago Fire, which began on Oct. 8, 1871, killing more than 250 people and leaving 100,000 homeless.
Each year, the NFPA chooses a theme, and in 2025, the group is focused on educating the public about lithium batteries and the proper way to store and charge them.
Planned Fire Prevention Week events include:
- James City County Fire Department will host an open house on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fire Station 4 on Olde Towne Road. The event will feature apparatus tours, activities, interactive displays and games.
- Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad will host an open house on Sunday, Oct. 5, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at its Main Street Firehouse. The department will provide every attendee with a home fire escape plan template, plastic fire helmets, informational coloring books and stickers. There will be station tours, all apparatus will be open for inspection and fire truck rides will be available. Sparky, the department’s mascot, will also be available for photos.
- Due to this weekend’s weather forecast calling for heavy rain and wind and the potential for tidal flooding, York County has canceled the Fire Prevention Week Open House scheduled for Saturday, October 11. York County Department of Fire and Life Safety will host an open house on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 1-3 p.m. at Fire Station 1 in Grafton. The department will be open for tours of both the building and apparatus, and there will be various giveaways. The York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office will also be on hand to talk about neighborhood safety.
- Newport News Fire Department will host an open house on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fire Station 6. Firefighters will have a lithium-ion battery collection station, HAZMAT and Bomb Team displays, public education activities, snacks and Sparky the Fire Dog will be on hand for photos. To recycle batteries, proof of Newport News residency is required.
To learn more about the nationwide initiative, visit nfpa.org.