The Worcester Fire Department introduces their new mascot, while announcing a campaign to promote Fire Prevention Month.

"Sparky the Fire Dog" will be part of safety-themed videos the City and Fire Department will post every Friday in October.

The videos will cover topics like smoke alarms, escape planning, and improper disposal of smoking materials.

The department says with more people staying home during the pandemic they are seeing an increase of fires caused by smoking materials.

City Manager Ed Augustus also says Worcester's older housing stock makes fighting fires more challenging.

"We need to do everything we can because of the risk of the safety and to the life to not only our residents, but our amazing firefighters. Everybody has a role in making sure their own business and homes are safe. We know that 20%of fires come from the careless disposal of smoking materials," Augustus said.

In the last year, fires in Worcester caused seven civilian injuries, 29 firefighter injuries, one civilian death, and one firefighter death.

The city estimates $27M in losses due to fires.