Contest engages students statewide in promoting fire prevention and safety awareness.
September 2, 2026
From the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal
COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal invites elementary school-aged students across Ohio to break out their crayons, colored pencils and markers to help highlight the importance of fire safety as part of the 2026–2027 Fire Safety Poster Contest. Held annually, the contest encourages young learners to explore fire safety concepts and visually demonstrate their understanding of fire prevention.
Students may select from the following fire safety themes for this year’s contest: Home Exit Drills; Smoke Alarms; Lithium-Ion Battery Safety; Heater Safety.
Elementary schools across Ohio are encouraged to partner with their local fire departments to emphasize fire safety practices in their communities. Schools must submit entries to their local fire departments by Oct. 2, 2026, allowing departments to display posters during Fire Prevention Week, which is Oct. 4–10.
After Fire Prevention Week concludes, each participating fire department should select one winning submission from each age category: grades K–3 and grades 4–6. Those selections will then be submitted to the Division of State Fire Marshal, where a review committee will choose six statewide winners in each category. Winners of the 2026–2027 contest will be recognized by the State Fire Marshal’s office in spring 2027.
More information on the contest can be found at com.ohio.gov/PosterContest. If a local fire department is unable to participate, schools may submit their two winning posters directly to the State Fire Marshal’s office for statewide consideration (address listed below).
Last year, more than 50 students submitted posters. The winning artwork is currently on display in the lobby of the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Digitally generated entries are not permitted, so students are encouraged to tap into their creativity and produce memorable submissions.
“Fire safety education remains one of our most important responsibilities, and this contest inspires students to learn and express those lessons in creative and memorable ways,” said State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “By encouraging collaboration with local fire departments, we’re helping to build a foundation of fire safety awareness that begins with our youngest Ohioans and strengthens our communities.”
Contest Timeline
- Oct. 2, 2026 – Schools submit posters to their local fire department.
- Oct. 4–10, 2026 – Fire Prevention Week.
- Nov. 12, 2026 – Fire departments (or schools, if necessary) submit winning selections to the State Fire Marshal.
- Spring 2027 – Winners announced.
Fire Safety Poster Contest Rules
- Posters must include one of the fire prevention themes listed above.
- Posters should display positive fire safety behaviors, including ways to prevent fires at home; identifying common fire hazards; what to do when a smoke alarm sounds; how and when to test smoke alarms and replace batteries; and steps for safe escape plans that include two ways out and a designated meeting place.
- Posters must be created on 8.5 x 11-inch paper.
- Any colors may be used, though a white or light-colored background is preferred.
- Crayons, markers, colored pencils, or similar art supplies may be used.
- All artwork must be original. Computer- or AI-generated designs, photographs, magazine or book clippings, and traced images are not permitted. Posters containing spelling errors will be eliminated from consideration.
- The poster surface should remain flat.
- All posters become the property of the Division of State Fire Marshal and will not be returned. Participants are encouraged to copy or photograph their artwork before submission.
- The back of each poster must clearly include the following information: the student’s full name, grade and age; name of the fire department and FDID number (if participating); name of the school; either the classroom or teacher’s name; and the school’s address and phone number. Entries missing required information will be disqualified.
- All posters must be submitted to the participating fire department by Oct. 2, 2026.
- Fire departments (or schools, if a fire department cannot participate) must submit one winning poster from each grade category to the State Fire Marshal by Nov. 12, 2026.
- Electronic submissions may be emailed to firepostercontest@com.ohio.gov to meet the deadline.
- Original posters must still be mailed to:
Fire Prevention Bureau
Fire Safety Poster Contest
State Fire Marshal
8895 E. Main St. Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
A committee established by the Division of State Fire Marshal will judge all finalists, and fire departments or schools will be notified of winners prior to the end of March 2027.
Questions may be directed to the Division’s Fire Prevention Bureau at 1-888-243-0305, then select option 1.