Japan's Autumn National Fire Prevention Campaign

Today, November 9th is the start of the Autumn National Fire Prevention Campaign. It is a week-long campaign organized by the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, that runs from the 9th to the 15th annually. This year the theme of the campaign is "Check your fire: a good habit that supports good days." 

According to the campaign information, house fires in Japan have been increasing since 2021, with the number exceeding 10,000 incidents last year. Older adults account for a large proportion of fire-related fatalities, making prevention and early detection especially important.

One of the key messages of the campaign is to check household smoke alarms. Residents are encouraged to press the test button to make sure their alarm is working correctly. Smoke alarms that have been in use for around ten years should also be considered for replacement, as their reliability may decrease over time.

The campaign serves as a timely reminder that small actions, such as testing an alarm or reviewing an evacuation plan, can help protect lives and reduce the risk of tragedy in the event of a fire.