National Fire Prevention Week Begins October 8, Public Education on Residential Fire Safety Remains a Key Focus

Members of The New Jersey Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board are urging families to take time during National Fire Prevention Week – which begins October 8 – to review the dangers of fire with their loved ones.

Waldwick, NJ (PRWEB) October 6, 2006 -- Members of The New Jersey Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board are urging families to take time during National Fire Prevention Week – which begins October 8 – to review the dangers of fire with their loved ones. Residential fires – e.g., single-family homes, apartment buildings, high-rises – represent 40% of all fires in the state of NJ, making them the most common type of structure fire and often the most deadly. Because of the dangers, the Board hopes that everyone will take time to learn and practice fire safety this week as well as periodically throughout the year.

“The National Fire Protection Association reported that in 2005 in the U.S., approximately 3,000 people lost their lives and an additional 13,000 were injured by fires that happened within their own homes,” says Vincent Fichera, the Executive Director for The New Jersey Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board. “Now and throughout the year, our hope is that by promoting the importance of home fire safety education and the use and maintenance of comprehensive fire prevention systems – including fire alarms, fire sprinklers and other fire resistant resources – that future tragedies can be avoided.”

The following is a quick list of facts about residential fires in the U.S.:

• 87 firefighters lost their lives in 2005 while on

active duty

• 82 percent of all fire deaths occur in residences

• A home structure fire is reported every 79 seconds,

and someone dies from a home fire every 143

minutes. In 2005, there were 1.6 million reported

fires

• In 2005, residential fires resulted in $6.6 billion

in direct property damage

• Residential fires account for 74% of all reported

civilian fire injuries and 63% of total reported

direct property damage

• While fire sprinklers are the most effective means

of saving lives and property, only 2% of residential

structures in the U.S. are protected by fire

sprinklers

The New Jersey Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NJFSAB) is a cooperative partnership advocating installation and proper care of fire sprinkler systems as a highly effective means of helping save lives and property. Working alongside fire and government authorities in the state of NJ, the Advisory Board supports educational programs and legislative measures to increase consideration, promote proper usage and enhance/enforce building codes for fire sprinklers in new and renovated properties. Headquartered in Waldwick, NJ, the Board is comprised of local leaders, contractors, businesses and unionized personnel representing fire sprinkler construction, production, distribution and installation industries.

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