BAY HEAD — Mayor William Curtis proclaimed Oct. 8 through the 14 to be Fire Prevention Week in Bay Head at the council meeting on Monday.
“The Borough of Bay Head is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in and visiting the borough and fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally, and homes are the locations where people are at greatest risk from fire,” Mayor Curtis began in his proclamation.
He further said home fires killed more than 2,800 people in the United States in 2021, according to the National Fire Protection Association [NFPA], and fire departments in the United States responded to 338,000 home fires.
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States and fire departments responded to more than 166,400 annually between 2016 and 2020. Two of every five home fires start in the kitchen with 31 percent of these fires resulting from unattended cooking. More than half of reported non-fatal home cooking fire injuries occurred when the victims tried to fight the fire themselves, according to the mayor.
“Children under five face a higher risk of non-fire burns associated with cooking than being burned in a cooking fire. Bay Head residents should turn pot handles toward the back of the stove, always keep a lid nearby when cooking, keep a three-foot kid-free zone around the stove, oven and other things that could get hot, watch what they heat; and set a timer to remind them that they are cooking,” said Mayor Curtis.
Mayor Curtis further said, “Residents who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are more prepared and will therefore be more likely to survive a fire. Bay Head first responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education.”
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