In an effort to raise fire prevention awareness, the Kennett Fire Department gave a fire prevention demonstration at the Kennett Preschool on Monday. Staff photos by George Anderson [Click to enlarge]

Since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed as a way to focus attention on promoting fire safety and prevention. This year, Oct. 5 through Oct. 12 will mark the 2008 incarnation of this very important cause.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fire departments responded to nearly 400,000 home fires in 2006, making the theme of Fire Prevention Week 2008 "It's Fire Prevention Week: Prevent Home Fires!"

Many home fires are caused by misuse or poor maintenance of electrical devices, careless use of candles, smoking in the bed, and children playing with matches and lighters, according to the NFPA.

Mayor Roger Wheeler, sitting, joined with members of the Kennett Fire Department to sign a proclaimation for Fire Prevention Week. Back row: Tyler Roberts, Robert Moore, Marty Cato, Lance Davis, Davey Horton, Fire Pup, John Mallot, Scott Tutor, Chris Harmon. [Click to enlarge]

Most potential hazards can be addressed by keeping flammable items, such as bedding, clothes, and curtains, at least three feet away from portable heaters or lit candles.

Also, appliances and other electrical devices should not be operated if they have frayed cords and electrical outlets should never be overloaded.

In an effort to teach children the dangers of fires, the Kennett Fire Department (KFD) will be conducting fire prevention seminars throughout the week.

"We'll see about 1,600 children from Daycare through third-grade," said Kennett Fire Marshal Scott Tutor.

"We try to get to the kids when they are young so we can raise their awareness level. We talk to them about Stop, Drop, and Roll. We teach them that matches and lighters are not toys and need to be left in the hands of their parents. We also tell them about the importance of smoke detectors," Tutor continued.

"This is a national program we are teaching," said Fire Chief John Mallot. "If a child moved from Kennett to St. Louis, they would still be taught the same thing."

"We tell the kids that if they get nothing else from this seminar, at least go home and tell mom and dad to get a smoke detector," Tutor said.

Tutor also noted that the KFD has responded to 556 fire and medical calls this year.

According to a report from Safe Kids, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing unintentional childhood injury, more than 1,300 children under the age of 14 are injured annually in residential fires nationwide and more than 400 die.

The report goes on to say that a home fire occurs every 76 seconds and that the leading causes of fire-related deaths in children under the age of 14 are heating equipment, playing with items that can ignite fire, and cooking equipment.

The majority of the deaths are caused by smoke inhalation.

"A working smoke alarm cuts your chances of dying in a fire by about 50 percent," said local Safe Kids Coordinator Brooke Kirby.

"Put a smoke alarm on every level of your home, outside every sleeping area, and in each bedroom. Test them every month and change their batteries once a year, even if they are hardwired."