NFSA MN Chapter

06/12/2026

Clothing trends, hairstyles, music genres are just a few things that have changed over the last 40 years.

But did you know the amount of time you have to escape during a fire has changed too — and not for the better.

Building and furnishing materials used today ignite quickly and burn faster than those used in the past.

In 1980, you could have had more than 10 minutes to get out if your house was on fire. Today, it’s less than five minutes.

Last year, 61 people died in Minnesota fires and we’re on pace to surpass that in 2026.

Test your smoke alarms. Make a fire escape plan. Pay attention when cooking or smoking.

Small reminders that could save lives.

06/10/2026

Nearly three dozen Minnesotans have already died in fires this year, and it’s only May.

They were mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends and so much more.

Take steps today to protect yourself and your loved ones:
• Test and check the batteries in your smoke alarms.
• Create and practice a fire escape plan for your household.
• Keep the exits in your home clear.
• Never leave cooking, candles, smoking materials or other sources of fire unattended.

These small steps can save lives. Don’t wait until a tragedy strikes close to home to take action.

06/01/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Austin fourth-grader Harrison Kline on earning an Honorable Mention in the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association's Fourth Grade Junior Fire Poster Contest! Harrison was recently surprised at school by Austin Fire Department Engineer Tim Olson and received a special award recognizing his outstanding work.

This year's theme, "Sprinkler Your Home for a Fire Safety Zone," highlights an important message: home fire sprinklers save lives. Fire can spread rapidly, often leaving families with only minutes to escape, but home fire sprinklers can control or even extinguish a fire before it becomes deadly.

NFSA-MN is proud to see young students like Harrison helping spread awareness about fire safety and the life-saving benefits of home fire sprinklers. Great job, Harrison! 👏🚒🏠💧

Austin fourth-grader Harrison Kline received an honorable mention in the state fire poster contest and a $10 award, surprised at school by Engineer Tim Olson.

05/26/2026

Another

The staff helped the resident in the room safely evacuate and calle...

05/18/2026

Thank you to the Austin Daily Herald in southern Minnesota for publishing this important Letter to the Editor highlighting how home fire sprinklers save lives, stop fires before they spread, and give families precious time to escape.

Most fire deaths happen at home — yet home fire sprinklers remain missing from many new homes. One sprinkler can make the difference between a close call and a tragedy.

A powerful reminder during Home Fire Sprinkler Week: when it comes to fire safety, seconds matter.

Take a moment to read and share this important message:

Home Fire Sprinkler Week highlights how residential sprinkler systems quickly stop fires, save lives, and reduce damage—and why advocates want them in all new h...

05/16/2026

Letter to the Editor in Austin, MN: Home Fire Sprinkler Week Saves Lives

Home Fire Sprinkler Week highlights how residential sprinkler systems quickly stop fires, save lives, and reduce damage—and why advocates want them in all new h...

05/14/2026

is the perfect time to remember that fire safety is a team effort. When we advocate for home , we aren't just protecting a single house; we are protecting our neighbors and the first responders who answer the call. Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition

05/13/2026

Today, the NFSA Minnesota Chapter partnered with the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) Minnesota Chapter with support from the Bloomington Fire Department for a live fire and fire sprinkler demonstration in Bloomington as part of Home Fire Sprinkler Week.

Attendees saw firsthand the dramatic difference fire sprinklers make during a home fire—showing how quickly fire can spread and how fast sprinklers can control a blaze before firefighters arrive.

Fire sprinklers save lives, reduce injuries, and give families valuable time to escape safely.

05/12/2026

🚨 LIVE FIRE SPRINKLER DEMONSTRATION TOMORROW 🚨 See firsthand how quickly a home fire can turn dangerous — and how fast a fire sprinkler can stop it.

As part of Home Fire Sprinkler Week, the NFSA Minnesota Chapter, in partnership with the Bloomington Fire Department and SFPE Minnesota Chapter, will host a live staged living room fire and fire sprinkler demonstration TOMORROW in Bloomington.

🔥 Watch a side-by-side fire demonstration
🚒 See how fire sprinklers help save lives and reduce damage
🛠️ Check out NFSA’s new Minnesota-based Valve Trailer and learn how sprinkler systems work

📍 Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington (outside parking lot)
3900 American Blvd. W., Bloomington
🗓 Wednesday, May 13
⏰ 12:30 p.m. media briefing | 12:40 p.m. live fire demonstration

Community members are welcome to attend. Come see why fire sprinklers save lives — plain and simple.