Explanation
Title
To proclaim October 8 - 14, 2006, as NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION WEEK.
Body
WHEREAS, this year's theme is "Prevent Cooking Fires: Watch What You Heat." The campaign reminds residents about the dangers of cooking fires, most of which result from unattended cooking, and focuses on teaching residents how to prevent them; 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, candle fires have become a serious and growing cause of home fires and have tripled over the last decade; and
WHEREAS, The Columbus Division of Fire is committed to reducing fire deaths and injuries and minimizing property destruction from the devastating effects of fire in the home; and
WHEREAS, using proper care when cooking will have a positive effect on the home fire problem; and
WHEREAS, each cooking fire that is prevented in Columbus is an opportunity to prevent death, painful injury and costly property damage; and
WHEREAS, working smoke alarms are essential for every household in Columbus and should be installed on every level of the home, including the basement and outside each sleeping area; and
WHEREAS, developing a home fire escape plan, with two ways out of each room and an outside meeting place and practicing it twice a year with every member of the household are critical to escaping a fire safely; and
WHEREAS, the 2006 Fire Prevention Week theme, "Prevent Cooking Fires: Watch What You Heat" is an important reminder for all citizens of Columbus to use caution while cooking and the simple actions that can be taken to stay safe from fire at home during Fire Prevention Week and year-round; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby proclaim the week of October 8 - 14, 2006 as NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION WEEK, and convey our gratitude to all members of the Columbus Division of Fire for their outstanding contributions to the safety and well being of the citizens of Columbus.