On Wednesday, Governor Edward Rendell declared Oct. 4-10 Fire Prevention week, and the Warren Fire Department is fully participating.
Warren Fire Department Operations/Training Officer Joe Beardsley said residents should feel welcome to stop by the department to see the station and equipment and view educational materials during Fire Prevention Week.
The Department will be visiting schools and daycares in Warren throughout October to discuss Fire Prevention and encourages parents to review the materials they bring home.
This year, the Fire Prevention Week theme is "Stay Fire Smart! Don't Get Burned."
Beardsley said he believes many home fires are easily preventable by taking simple steps to increase safety from fires whether it's smoking outside the home, keeping space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn or staying in the kitchen when using the stove top.
State Fire Commissioner Ed Mann said the number of fires increased during the winter months, so autumn is a great time to prepare for a fire emergency.
Setting a water heater's thermostat to no higher than 120 degrees and installing anti-scald devices on tub faucets and shower heads can help protect people from scalds, Beardsley said.
Beardsley said the following precautions can help to keep families safe from burns:
Always test the water before getting into or placing a child into the tub. The water should feel warm, not hot.
Keep hot foods and liquids away from tables and counter edges so they cannot be pulled or knocked over.
Teach children that hot things hurt.
Never hold a child in your arms while preparing hot food or drinking a hot beverage.
Wear short or closefitting sleeves when cooking.
Have a three foot "kid-free" zone around the stove.
Each year, nearly 3,000 people die as a result of home fires and burns and more than 200,000 individuals are seen in the nation's emergency rooms for burn injuries.
Adults often experience mild scalds and quickly adjust the temperature without a second thought, but Beardsley said older adults and children's skin is much more sensitive and can even sustain a burn in a matter of seconds.
"Vigilence is key in burn prevention," Beardsley said.
Citizens may call to schedule a Home Safety Evaluation by the Warren Fire Department and the Warren Police Department. The program provides an evaluation of fire safety and prevention as well as security aspects, based on a comprehensive home safety checklist.