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North Hempstead Supports Fire Prevention Week


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 7, 2014
MEDIA CONTACTS: Carole Trottere, Ryan Mulholland, Sam Marksheid, and Rebecca Cheng | (516) 869-7794

North Hempstead Supports Fire Prevention Week

North Hempstead, NY – North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth announced that the Town will be joining FEMA and the Ready Campaign to promote Fire Prevention Week from October 5th until the 11th, encouraging residents to test their smoke alerts each month. North Hempstead is committed to being a leading advocate fire prevention.

Fire Prevention Week, started in 1927 by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 conflagration that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres.

This year’s theme is “Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month” and the NFPA is asking citizens to take a pledge to test smoke alarms each month. A properly installed and maintained smoke alarm is the first thing in your home that can alert you and your family to a fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether you're awake or asleep, a working smoke alarm is constantly on alert, scanning the air for fire and smoke.

According to the NFPA, almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in properties without working smoke alarms. A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire.

“The Town of North Hempstead is proud to support Fire Prevention Week. It is so important for our residents to be aware and informed of all the ways in which they can keep their families safe in the case of a fire,” said Supervisor Judi Bosworth.

USFA and its partners and supporters are encouraging everyone to take certain measures to protect themselves and their families. By taking the following steps and checking your smoke alarms you can help save lives from fires:

  • There is one smoke alarm on every level of the home.
  • There is one smoke alarm inside and outside each sleeping area.
  • Smoke alarms are tested and cleaned monthly.
  • Smoke alarm batteries are changed as needed.
  • Smoke alarms are less than 10 years old.
More information can be found at nfpa.org. Information on the different types of hazards is available at Ready.gov or the Spanish-language web site Listo.gov.

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