Fire Prevention Week October 5-11, 2008
CAL FIRE Asking Public's Help to "Prevent Home Fires"
Published on Oct 6, 2008 - 9:42:31 AM

By: Chelsea Fox, CAL FIRE

Auburn Oct. 6, 2008 - Fire departments in California respond to hundreds of deadly home fires each year. These fires and the resulting loss of life are preventable when residents take simple precautions to remove fire hazards from their homes. In recognition of National Fire Prevention Week, CAL FIRE, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, is asking for homeowners' help in following simple steps to "Prevent Home Fires."

From October 5-11, 2008, CAL FIRE and other fire departments across the country will be encouraging their communities to check their homes for fire hazards. This year in Northern California, Fire Prevention Week follows the first dose of cold, wet weather. "As winter months and holidays get closer, the rates of fire deaths increase. Take some time to ensure that you and your family do not have to suffer the effects of a fire in your home," said CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit Chief Brad Harris. "It is important that parents and children alike know how to identify and mitigate potential fire hazards in the home."

CAL FIRE responds to over 300,000 emergencies and calls for service each year. More than 5,000 of these emergencies are fires inside homes and other buildings. The leading causes of home fires result from cooking, heating, electrical malfunction, smoking materials, and candles. Each of these activities carries a risk of causing a fire, but that risk can be greatly reduced if you follow some common sense safety tips:

- Cooking: Never leave the kitchen unattended while frying, grilling or broiling food. Keep flammable materials away from the stove top.

- Heating: Keep all flammable materials, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least three feet away from heating equipment.

- Electrical: Replace cracked and damaged electrical cords; use extension cords for temporary wiring only.

- Smoking: If you smoke, smoke outside; wherever you smoke, use deep, sturdy ashtrays.

- Candles: Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn. Never leave burning candles unattended.

Each year, the week surrounding the date of October 9th is celebrated as National Fire Prevention Week. Why October 9th? The date commemorates the infamous "Great Chicago Fire" of 1871 that killed 250 people and destroyed over 17,000 homes. Fire Prevention Week is organized each year by the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA.

For more fire safety tips visit the CAL FIRE Web site at www.fire.ca.gov.

In the interest of fostering civil and issue-oriented discourse, YubaNet does not publish reader comments identified by anonymous Internet "handles" (fake user ID names like "farfromthinkin"). Your full and real name will be published with your comment. Your email address will not be shown, unless you specifically "uncheck" the box 'Hide my email.' By submitting a comment you consent to our rules.