2013-0333
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 from fire; and,
WHEREAS, home fires killed more than 2,500 people in the United States in 2011, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and fire departments in the United States responded to more than 370,000 home fires; and,
WHEREAS, two of every five home fires start in the kitchen. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States where fire departments responded to more than 156,000 annually between 2007 and 2011, unattended equipment was a factor in one-third of the reported cooking fires; and,
WHEREAS, 57% of reported non-fatal home cooking fire injuries occurred when the victims tried to fight the fire themselves; and,
WHEREAS, St. Charles Parish residents should stay in the kitchen when frying food on the stovetop, keep a three-foot kid-free zone around cooking areas, and keep anything that can catch fire away from stove tops; 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, only one-third of Americans have both developed and practiced a home fire escape plan; and,
WHEREAS, almost three-quarters of Americans do have an escape plan; however, less than half have actually practiced it; and,
WHEREAS, working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half; and,
WHEREAS, St. Charles Parish's first responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of 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...
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