The Shift Starts with Prevention: A Firefighter's Take on Fire Safety
Jamie LiermanEvery firefighter will tell you the same thing:
The best call is the one that never comes in.
We train for the worst. We show up at 3 a.m. in full gear, headed into smoke and heat that would make most people run the other direction. We do it because it's the job, and we're proud to do it.
But the truth is, no one wins when a house burns down.
Not the family who lost everything.
Not the crew who couldn't stop it.
That's why Fire Prevention Week matters so much to us.
At Nickel Coffee Company, we're firefighters first. The company was born out of Station 5, the Nickel, and that culture shapes everything we do. Fire Prevention Week isn't just another awareness campaign on the calendar. It's personal.
If we're going to be part of your morning coffee routine, we should also be a voice for keeping your home and family safe.
What Is Fire Prevention Week?
Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9, commemorating the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. For more than a century, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has used the week to educate communities about fire safety.
2026 Theme:
"Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work for You!"
It's a simple message, but it's one of the most important ones we can share.
From the Firehouse Floor: What We Actually See
We respond to fires that never should have happened.
We've walked through homes where a working smoke alarm, a device that costs less than a dinner out, could have provided the extra minutes a family needed to escape safely.
These are the issues we see over and over:
- Smoke alarms with missing batteries
- Batteries removed because the detector was chirping
- Alarms installed in only one area of the home
- Smoke alarms more than 10 years old
- Families with no fire escape plan
These aren't failures of intelligence.
They're the result of busy lives.
Kids get loud. Work gets hectic. The smoke detector goes off while bacon is cooking and someone pulls the battery.
It happens.
But a few minutes of attention today can prevent tragedy tomorrow.
The Home Fire Safety Checklist We Give Our Own Families
1. Smoke Alarm Safety
A smoke alarm is your first line of defense.
✅ Install alarms:
- On every level of the home
- Inside every bedroom
- Outside every sleeping area
✅ Test alarms monthly.
✅ Replace batteries annually.
A good reminder is when you change your clocks in the fall.
✅ Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
✅ Consider upgrading to combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
2. Cooking Safety
Cooking remains the leading cause of home fires.
Remember:
- Never leave stovetop cooking unattended
- Keep towels, paper products, and packaging away from burners
- If a grease fire occurs, cover the pan with a lid and turn off the heat
- Never use water on a grease fire
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it
3. Heating Equipment Safety
As temperatures cool, fire risk increases.
Protect your home by:
- Keeping space heaters at least 3 feet from anything combustible
- Having furnaces inspected annually
- Scheduling chimney inspections before winter
- Never leaving fireplace fires unattended
- Never burning trash in fireplaces
4. Have an Escape Plan
If a fire starts, you may have less time than you think.
Every family should:
- Have two ways out of every room
- Designate an outdoor meeting place
- Practice the plan at least twice each year
- Teach children what smoke alarms sound like
Most Important Rule
When the alarm sounds: Get out. Stay out. Call 911.
Do not stop for belongings.
Do not go back inside.
Your life is worth more than anything in the house.
A Note on Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is often called the silent killer.
You cannot see it.
You cannot smell it.
You cannot taste it.
By the time symptoms appear, people may already be in danger.
Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips
- Install CO detectors on every level of your home
- Test detectors regularly
- Replace detectors according to manufacturer guidelines
- If a CO detector alarms, leave immediately and call 911
Do not attempt to locate the source yourself.
Why Fire Risk Increases During Fall and Winter
Each year we see a noticeable increase in fire incidents as temperatures begin to fall.
Common contributors include:
- Space heaters coming out of storage
- Fireplaces being used for the first time
- Overloaded extension cords
- Holiday decorations and lighting
- Increased candle use
None of these are inherently dangerous.
They simply require more attention.
Use the changing season as a reminder to complete your home safety check.
Pour a Cup and Take 20 Minutes
Seriously.
That's all it takes.
- Test your smoke alarms
- Check detector batteries
- Inspect your fire extinguisher
- Review your escape plan
- Talk with your family
Brew a pot of Cowboy Blend and make it part of your routine.
The conversation doesn't need to be dramatic.
It just needs to happen.
Looking Out for Each Other
We sell coffee because we love great coffee.
But Nickel Coffee Company exists because of the firehouse.
And the firehouse is built on one simple principle:
Look out for each other.
That's what Fire Prevention Week is all about.
Stay safe out there.
Jamie & TJ
Nickel Coffee Company
Station 5 | Lincoln, Nebraska
Additional Resources
For more home fire safety information, visit the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) website or contact your local fire department.
About Nickel Coffee Company
Nickel Coffee Company is a firefighter-owned specialty coffee company based in Lincoln, Nebraska. Our Coffee is shipped directly to your door.
Drink great coffee. Support firefighters. Stay safe.