Hear The Beep Where You Sleep is the theme for the 2015 Fire Prevention Campaign....Watertown Fire Rescue is once again playing a part in this years Fire Prevention Week. The opportunity to work with local schools in presenting materials and information is something Watertown Fire Rescue looks forward to each year. This year's theme is directed towards having working smoke alarms in every bedroom in your home, as well as outside of each sleeping area, and lastly one on each level of your home.

According to NFPA statistics, half of all U.S. home fire deaths occur at night, between the hours of 11:00pm and 7:00am, when people are most likely sleeping. Having a working smoke alarm in the home, and properly placed, cuts the risk of a fatal outcome in half.

Some quick facts....
*NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) has been the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week since 1922.
*An average of 940 deaths per year occurred in homes with no working smoke alarms, while an additional 510 occurred in homes with smoke alarms that failed to operate...mainly from dead batteries. This accounts for 59% of all home fire deaths.
*Alarms operated 87% of the time in reported fires large enough to activate them. Power sources are the leading reason for the rare alarm failure.
*The lowest death rate was seen in homes that contained hard wired smoke alarms and sprinklers.
*In 2013, U.S. Fire Departments responded to 369,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 2,755 deaths, 12,200 civilian injuries, and $7.0 Billion in direct damage.
*Home fires killed an average of eight people every day in 2013.
*Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fire injuries, followed by heating equipment.
*Smoking materials are the leading cause of home fire deaths.

Watertown Fire Rescue uses this Fire Prevention Week to disperse information to local children. The Fire Safety House is taken around to each school in Watertown for the 3rd graders to go through and learn about a fire escape plan. The 4th graders are writing essays in class, to earn a ride to school in a fire truck. The 5th graders get activity books and a speech by WFR personnel on fire safety and home fire hazards. WFR also speaks at many classrooms at the request of the school staff.
We thank all Watertown businesses that donated to our cause over the last year and look forward to working with you again next year. Tune in to Gov TV for more safety tips and information. Stay Fire Safe!