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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 /> ing on alert ! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don 't <br /> fires , especially by be <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 />