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Vrottatuation
October 6 —12, 2013
"Prevent Kitchen Fires!"
Whereas, the County of Pittsylvania is committed to ensuring the safety and security of
all those living and visiting our county; 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 370,000 home fires; and
Whereas, cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States where fire
departments responded to more than 156,00 annually between 2007 and 2011; and
Whereas, two of every five home fires starts in the kitchen; and
Whereas, 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, children under five face a higher risk of non -fire burns associated with
cooking than being burned in a cooking fire; and
Whereas, 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 on 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, working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half, and
Whereas, Pittsylvania County's first responders are dedicated to reducing the
occurrence of home fires and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education;
and
Whereas, Pittsylvania County's 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, the 2013 Fire Prevention Week theme, "Prevent Kitchen Fires!" effectively
serves to remind us to stay alert and use caution when cooking to reduce the risk of kitchen
fire; then
Therefore, Be It Proclaimed that the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors do
hereby proclaim October 6 -12, 2013 as Fire Prevention Week throughout Pittsylvania
County, and urges all of the citizens of Pittsylvania County to check their kitchens for fire
hazards and to use safe cooking practices during Fire Prevention Week 2013 and throughout
the year, and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of the County's fire and
emergency services.
Given under my hand this day 17`h day of September, 2013.
Marshall A. Eckel, Chairman
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors
Otis S. Hawker, Clerk
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors