Fond du Lac FD uses 'Fire Prevention Week' to battle confusion about avoiding and surviving fires

FOND DU LAC, Wis. (CBS 58) -- We're in the middle of "Fire Prevention Week". It began Monday, Oct. 5 and runs until Friday, Oct. 8.

Firefighters use this week to 'turn up the heat' on the importance on knowing how to prevent a fire from happening and steps to take to keep yourself safe if one occurs. 

Any fire expert will tell you properly functioning smoke detectors along with an escape plan are vital to becoming a survivor rather than a casualty. 

The theme for 2021 is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety!” The purpose is to educate everyone on the different sounds that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors make. These devices are often the first warning of a fire and can reduce the chances of fire related injury or death. 

You may not know this but Fire Prevention Week actually commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of Oct. 8 and Oct. 9 in 1871. It killed roughly 300 people and destroyed 3.3 square miles of the city. Friday is exactly 150 years since that infamous fire.  You can learn more information about fire prevention and safety here.