| This year's Fire Prevention Week runs from October 4 - 10, 2009 |
Fire Prevention Week is October 4 - 10, and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), along with local fire departments and other safety advocates nationwide are urging people to "Stay Fire Smart! Don't Get Burned."
Fire departments responded to an estimated 1.5 million fires in 2008. These fires resulted in 3,320 civilian fire fatalities, 16,705 civilian fire injuries and an estimated $15.5 billion in direct property loss.
"Every 22 seconds a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the United States," said Lorraine Carli, NFPA's vice president of communications. "Fires kill roughly 3,000 people each year and injure thousands."
"These statistics are especially tragic because most fires can be prevented and the deaths and injuries associated with them can be avoided. Fire Prevention Week is dedicated to focusing on important safety information that will help you stay safe from fire year round."
This year's campaign, "Stay Fire Smart! Don't Get Burned" focuses on ways to prevent fires, and the deaths, injuries, and property loss they cause. Eighty-four percent of all fire deaths were caused by home fires.
By providing valuable information on fire and burn prevention and safety tips, the campaign aims to help the public keep their homes and the people who live there safe from fire and burns.