Fire Prevention Week Proclamation October 4-10

Town of Supervisor’s Proclamation

2020 Proclamation

WHEREAS, the town of Stanford in New York State is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in and visiting Stanford, 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 2,630 people in the United States in 2017, according to the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®), and fire departments in the United States responded to 357,000 home fires; and

WHEREAS, cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States where fire departments responded to more than 173,200 annually between 2013 and 2017; and 

WHEREAS, two of every five home fires start in the kitchen with 31% of these fires resulting from unattended cooking; and

WHEREAS, more than half 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

WHEREAS, Stanford’s 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 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, Stanford’s first responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education; and

WHEREAS, Stanford’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 2020 Fire Prevention Week theme ^TM, “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!” effectively serves to remind us to stay alert and use caution when cooking to reduce the risk of kitchen fires.

THEREFORE, I, Wendy Burton, Supervisor of the Town of Stanford, do hereby proclaim October 4-10, 2020, as Fire Prevention Week throughout this state, and I urge all the people of (TOWN) by checking their kitchens for fire hazards and using safe cooking practices during Fire Prevention Week 2020, and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of Stanford’s fire and emergency services.

Wendy Burton, Supervisor

Town of Stanford