WHEREAS, Baker County is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in Baker County; and

WHEREAS, fire is a serious public safety concern, and homes are where people are at greatest risk from fire; and

WHEREAS, according to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) on average, 2,620 civilians die from home fires each year; and

WHEREAS, roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or with no working smoke alarms; and

WHEREAS, working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires almost in half; and

WHEREAS, smoke alarms sense smoke well before we can, alerting us to danger in the event of fire in which you may have as little as 2 minutes to escape safely; and

 

WHEREAS, Baker County residents should install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area (such as in the hallway), and on every level of the home; and

WHEREAS, Baker County residents should test smoke alarms at least once a month; and

WHEREAS, residents who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are more prepared and will therefore be more likely to survive a fire; and

WHEREAS, Baker County Fire Agencies are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education; and

WHEREAS, Baker County joins the 2024 National Home Fire Prevention Week theme, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you,” serves to remind us of the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home.

THEREFORE, the Baker County Board of Commissioner’s does hereby proclaim October 6–12, 2024, as Home Fire Prevention Week, and urge Baker County residents to make sure their homes have working smoke alarms.

 

Signed this 2^nd day of October, 2024.

 

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Shane Alderson, Commission Chair         Bruce Nichols, Commissioner           Christina Witham, Commissioner