Governor Jim Douglas today signed a proclamation declaring Fire Prevention Week in Vermont at an event with students at St. Johnsbury Elementary School. The 2010 Fire Prevention Week theme is, ‘Smoke Alarms: A sound you can live with!’
Fires result in an average of nine deaths in Vermont each year, cause more than a 1,000 people to be treated at emergency departments for fire and burn injuries and cost an estimated $70 million in property damage. Working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, installed outside of each sleeping area and on every level of every home, are essential for the safety of Vermonters.
‘Vermonters are fortunate to have highly trained professionals educating the public about fire prevention and safety and willing to risk their lives when disaster strikes,’ said Governor Douglas. ‘Fire Prevention Week is an opportunity to remind all Vermonters of the simple actions we can take to stay safe, such as installing and maintaining smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in our homes.’
The Professional Fire Fighters of Vermont (PFFV) have distributed Fire Safety Educational Activity Books to over 200 elementary schools across Vermont over the past eight years. This year marks the distribution of their 100,000th Fire Safety Educational Activity Book given to elementary school children, assisting in the safety of children across Vermont.
Matt Vinci, PFFV President said, ‘The Professional Fire Fighters of Vermont proudly support Fire Prevention Week by distributing over 14,000 Fire Safety Activity Books annually to elementary schools across the state, making Vermont a safer place to live, work and visit.’
Source: 10.7.2010
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