While the national fire prevention campaign lasts the entire month of October, most fire departments designate the second week as Fire Prevention Week, during which demonstrations and expos are held in different U.S. cities. Sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Fire Prevention Month has roots that date back to The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that killed more than 250 people and left more than 100,000 homeless.

The NFPA wants you to know that roughly half of home fire deaths result from fires reported between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when most people are asleep.

Smoke alarms save lives. If there is a fire in your home, smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to give you time to get out. In fact, having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half!

That's why the key message of this year's campaign is to install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home, including the basement. Larger homes may need more alarms. When it comes to home fire safety, it's all about location, location, location.

NFPA is excited to share this important information so everyone better understands the life-saving value of home smoke alarms. Visit NFPA's "Smoke Alarm Central" for more information.