The 'Look Up' initiative was founded by Kathleen Moritz whose son, Tanner Osborn, and two of his friends were killed in a Chicago apartment fire in June of 2005.
As a result, Gov. Pat Quinn has proclaimed September 22nd, 2010 as 'Look Up! Pay It Forward Day' in Illinois, in order to raise awareness among students of the importance of fire
safety in college life and to encourage all Illinoisans to practice fire prevention measures in their own homes.
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn also declared September 2010 as Campus Fire Safety Month in Illinois, and encourages educators to provide educational programs on the dangers and prevention of fire as students begin and return to college.
Fire education and prevention is vital to ensuring the safety of Americans and Illinoisans.
College students, particularly those living in unsupervised, off-campus housing, are at great risk to the dangers posed by fires and since 2000, seventy-one off-campus fires have claimed the lives
of 102 students, one of whom was Tanner.
"There were not adequate smoke alarms in the apartment where he died. In the situation of the fire where they were, they more than likely would have gotten out had there been [enough smoke alarms]," said Kathleen Moritz. (Information taken from WLS-TV in Chicago, Ill.)
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKHQA