* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Middleton
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Recognition of October as National Fire Prevention Month
For the purpose of recognizing October as National Fire Prevention Month.
body
House fires, on average, cause more than seven deaths a day. In fact, house fires take more lives annually than all other natural disasters combined. According to a 2017 report by United States Fire Administration, there are approximately 380,200 home fires each year, leading to an average of 2,695 deaths, 12,000 injuries, and $7 billion in property loss.
Given the potential seriousness of home fires, October, as National Fire Prevention Month, is a time when we can all be better aware of ways to practice fire safety in order to prevent these losses from occurring. The American Red Cross states that effective fire prevention can occur with two simple steps: practicing home fire drills and testing our smoke alarms monthly.
According to the National Fire Protection Administration, working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a house fire by half. Just in the past fiscal year, the Baltimore City Fire Department installed more than 14,000 smoke alarms in the homes of Baltimore residents.
By recognizing National Fire Prevention Month, we acknowledge there is still work to be done by all of us to prevent deadly and costly fires, such as developing a fire escape plan and practicing it; teaching our children what smoke alarms sound like and what they should do if they hear one; making sure each household member knows two ways to escape every room; and establishing an outdoor family meeting spot. With education and the implementation of these tips, we can reduce the occurrence and deadly nature of house fires.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That October is recognized as National Fire Prevention Month and we encourage every Baltimorean to take simple, common sense steps to help prevent what could be the next deadly fire.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the
Chief of the Baltimore City Fire Department, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison.