Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
Governor declares Fire Prevention Week

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 5, 2007) – Governor Ernie Fletcher has declared Oct. 7-13 Fire Prevention Week in Kentucky.

The observance is part of a national, annual public education campaign designed to remind citizens of the need to take steps to reduce their chances of injury or death due to fire.

Governor Fletcher noted that fire safety is especially relevant now because of the dangerous wildfire conditions in Kentucky. The governor signed an executive order yesterday banning all outdoor burning across the state.

“The drought conditions have created extremely hazardous conditions,” Governor Fletcher said. “It is impossible to overstate how important it is that all citizens exercise caution outdoors to prevent fires that can quickly get out of control.”

Unlike the seasonal threat of forest fires, home fires occur every day of the year. In his proclamation, Governor Fletcher noted that more than 3,200 people in the United States died in 2006 in home fires. He noted that residents who develop and practice a home fire escape plan are better prepared to survive a house fire.

State Fire Marshal Rodney Raby said a home escape plan is easy to prepare.

“A home fire often occurs at night,” Raby noted. “Being awakened from a sound sleep by smoke and heat is no time to try to think clearly about the best ways to get out of the house.”

The basics of a home escape plan are simple, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

• Draw a floor plan of your home showing all doors and windows.
• Mark two ways out of each room.
• Mark all smoke alarms. There should be one in each bedroom, outside each bedroom and on every level of the home.
• Pick a family meeting place outside where everyone can meet after an evacuation.
• Practice the plan twice a year.

“If you want some help developing a plan, contact your local fire department,” Raby said. “They’re always happy to lend their expertise to residents.”

More information on National Fire Prevention Week and a home fire escape plan is available at http://www.nfpa.org.

The State Fire Marshal’s staff is part the Department of Public Protection in the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet.