This week is being observed as National Fire Prevention Week. The Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) will be joining forces with the non-profit fire safety organization the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) to present the theme of this year’s campaign— “Preventing Home Fires.”
Through Friday, October 10, the LBFD will issue a daily Public Service Announcement (PSA) focusing on ways to prevent home fires. Then on Saturday, October 11 and Sunday October 12 All LBFD fire stations will conduct an “Open House” from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for residents to visit the fire stations, view the fire engines and equipment, and meet their local firefighters.
Fire prevention pamphlets and information will be available for adults and children, and firefighters will also be available to discuss and answer questions about safety issues including; home fire safety check lists, home fire escape planning, proper use of smoke detectors and space heaters.
According to the NFPA, in the year 2007 there were approximately 1.6 million fires in the United States, causing $14.6 billion in property damage, 17,675 civilian injuries, and 3,430 civilian deaths. These fires killed one person every two and half hours last year, and eight out of 10 of all fire deaths occurred in the home.
For more information on National Fire Prevention Week, fire safety, and the Long Beach Fire Department, go to www.nfpa.org or http://firechannel.org/blog.
