National Fire Prevention Week is marking its 84th annual program this week.

During the week, firefighters visit elementary schools to teach children how dangerous fire is. This year’s theme is “It’s Fire Prevention Week! Protect Your Family From Fire!”

The program was established in memory of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which killed more than 250 people and left 100,000 homeless when it destroyed more than 17,400 structures.

“I went to school, and told kids about the fire,” former Columbia Fire Department firefighter Michael Cox said. “I believe if kids are aware of fire, then there will be less fire in the future.”

Stephanie Kang, a student at West Junior Middle School, said she was taught fire safety in elementary school.

“While I was in elementary school, I learned when smoke rises, you must crawl to a door,” she said. “If you don’t crawl, then you can suffocate. Also, when your clothes gets on fire, remember to stop, drop and roll.”

Fire officials said they hope to eliminate fires completely.

“The goal of Fire Prevention Week is to provide (the) fire department with the material and information they need to actually conduct campaign fir their communities,” said Judy Comoletti, division manager of the National Fire Protection Association.

NFPA associate project manager Amy Lebeua said this year’s Fire Prevention Week will focus on three areas: smoke alarms, escape planning and home fire sprinklers.

The biggest change in this year’s program is that it is now aiming to teach preschool students, in addition to elementary students, to be aware of fire hazards.

The Columbia Fire Department is hosting several programs designed for K-5 students.

“During Fire Prevention Week, many local schools and day cares come to the fire stations to learn about fire safety,” Assistant Fire Marshal Debbie Sorrell said.

The fire department has prepared several activities to help students be aware of fire hazards.

“The activities include a fire prevention skit that is preformed at all the local elementary schools by the actors from TRYPS Children’s Theater,” she said. “The skit is written about the ‘iCarly’ television show and is used to teach young children about fire safety.”

CFS infused the children’s TV show “iCarly” into fire prevention program so that children would be more willing to learn about fire hazards.

The fire department said it considers children as well as seniors as its target audiences for fire safety.

“Because of their vulnerability to fire injury injuries, little kids and our senior friends are always target audiences for fire safety,” Sorrell said.

Since the program’s launch, Columbia residents have been more conscious about fire. Sorrell said the biggest change is that more people have smoke detectors and sprinkler systems.

Sorrell stressed how important it is to check smoke detectors periodically, because they might not function properly after eight to 10 years of use.

“People tend to be complacent about old smoke detectors they have,” she said. “They need to check their detectors to make sure they work properly.”