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3 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> PROCLAMATION <br /> FIRE PREVENTION WEEK <br /> OCTOBER 8-14, 2023 <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those <br /> living in and visiting the county; and <br /> WHEREAS, fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally, and homes <br /> are the locations where people are at greatest risk from fire, noting that: <br /> • Cooking is, by far, the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. In 2021, <br /> fire departments in the United States responded to an estimated 170,000 home <br /> cooking fires. These fires caused an estimated 135 deaths, 3,000 injuries and over <br /> $494 million in property loss. Since January of this year, cooking fires have <br /> resulted in one (1) fire fatality, four (4) burn injuries, and two (2) house fires in <br /> Orange County. <br /> • Smoke alarms sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger in the <br /> event of fire in which you may have as little as two (2) minutes to escape safely. <br /> • Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half. <br /> • Orange County residents should be sure everyone in the home understands the <br /> sounds of the smoke alarms and knows how to respond. <br /> • Orange County residents should make sure their smoke and carbon monoxide <br /> (CO) alarms meet the needs of all their family members, including those with <br /> sensory or physical disabilities. <br /> • Orange County residents who follow cooking fire safety tips can prevent kitchen <br /> fires, especially by being on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don't <br /> use the stove or stovetop. <br /> • Orange County first responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of <br /> cooking fires and cooking fire injuries through prevention and protection education. <br /> • Orange County residents that are responsive to public education measures are <br /> better able to take personal steps to increase their safety from fire, especially in <br /> their homes. <br /> WHEREAS, the 2023 Fire Prevention Week theme, "Cooking safety starts with YOU! Pay <br /> attention to fire prevention TM," effectively serves to remind us it is important to practice <br /> cooking safety and participate in fire prevention in our kitchens; <br /> NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, do hereby <br /> proclaim October 8-14, 2023, as Fire Prevention Week in Orange County and urge all the <br />