l-‘ire safety may seem to you a ho-hum message intended only for others. Until, that is, fire strikes in your home or business. There’s nothing ho-hum about the disastrous results caused each year by fires in the United States. I-‘or example, more than 1800 homes go up in flames each year. and deaths by fire total around 12.000. We cite these figures because this week – Oct. 3-9 v is Fire Prevention Week a good time to ponder the potential tragedy a fire can cause. In Provo. the fire department answers about 200 calls per month. Fatality-wise, this city has been lucky – although two deaths from fire were recorded in the valley only weeks ago. The fire department is planning a series of fire drills in the schools. something which can be helpful in impressing the youngsters on fire dangers. Fire loss in Central Utah amounts to a very substantial figure each year. In Provo, the biggest recent cause of fires has been children with matches. Trash fires. faulty wiring, small appliances, pans left on stoves. fireworks 7 these are some of the other frequent causes. The National Fire Protection Association says the leading cause of all fires nationally is faulty or overloaded electrical circuits. That should provide one clue on fire prevention. Ilere are some other precautions listed for Fire Prevention Week by the NFPA: l)on’t smoke in bed; put matches out of reach of small children; when cooking. don’t wear loose-fitting clothes, but if clothes should catch fire, drop and roll until the flames are extinguished; impress teenagers with the dangers of gasoline; plan two escape routes from bedrooms; in heavy smoke, crawl towards the exit; have heating equipment checked at least once a year. Another tip which seems appropriate here: Obey the city and state laws which prohibit fireworks except sparklers and capguns. Several fires e particularly brush fires – have been fireworks – caused. You can make Fire Prevention Week mean something in your lives by heeding its message. This is a good time to clean up fire hazards. teach fire prevention in your families, and vow to make fire safety a living principle in your lives each day.