2011-0325
Title
Proclamation: "Fire Prevention Week"
Body
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, St. Charles Parish is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in and visiting our Parish; and,
WHEREAS, fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally and homes are the locations where people are at greatest risk to fire; and,
WHEREAS, home fires killed more than 2500 people in the United States in 2009, according to the latest research from the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and fire departments in the United States responded to more than 360,000 home fires; and,
WHEREAS, cooking equipment is the leading cause of home structure fires and associated injuries, and the third leading cause of home fire deaths; and,
WHEREAS, heating and electrical equipment and smoking materials are among the leading causes of all reported home fires; and,
WHEREAS, home candle fires are reported to a US Fire Department every 30 minutes on average and the risk of dying in a home structure fire caused by smoking materials rises with age; and,
WHEREAS, working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half, and automatic fire sprinkler systems cut the risk of dying in a home fire by about 80%; and,
WHEREAS, St. Charles Parish's first responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education; and,
WHEREAS, St. Charles Parish residents are responsive to public education measures and are able to take personal steps to increase their safety from fire, especially in their homes; and,
WHEREAS, residents who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are more prepared and will therefore be more likely to survive a fire; and,
WHEREAS, the 2011 Fire Prevention Week theme, "It's Fire Prevention Week! Protect Your Family From Fire!" effectively serves to remind us all of the simple actions we can take to keep our homes an...
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