(UNDATED) – Fire Prevention week started on October 4th and will end on Sunday October 10th.
This years theme will focus on kitchen safety.
According to the National Fire Protection Association cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home injuries in the United States.
Almost half or 44 percent of reported home fires started in the kitchen. Two thirds or 66 percent of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.
Residents are reminded to test their smoke detectors and replace your batteries. It is recommended that smoke detectors be replaced every ten years.
Residents should have and practice an escape route so everyone is prepared and knows how to get out of the home if a fire does occur.
This year, has been one of the worst fire seasons, with more than 43,500 wildfires. More than 10,000 buildings and 35 people have died.
Burn bans remain in effect throughout the area with 11 counties in the state having burn bans in effect.
In Southern Indiana these counties have issued burn bans: Daviess, Greene, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Orange, Owen, and Sullivan.
During Fire Prevention Week WBIW will highlight fire departments that serve Lawrence County and have dedicated their lives to fighting fires in their community.
