THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY SOLOBAY, KORTZ, McCALL, READSHAW, DERMODY, SAINATO, SEIP, PICKETT, MARSICO, McGEEHAN, K. SMITH, GROVE, PALLONE, PASHINSKI, CHRISTIANA, CALTAGIRONE, O'NEILL, LONGIETTI, HARHAI, MIRABITO, DiGIROLAMO, SCAVELLO, BRIGGS, BRENNAN, GIBBONS, GINGRICH, WAGNER, DONATUCCI, BISHOP, EVERETT, SWANGER, GEIST, ROSS, CAUSER, HORNAMAN, STABACK, FLECK, ROCK, GODSHALL, MAJOR, DALEY, MILLARD, SANTONI, PAYNE, GRUCELA, DENLINGER, MURT, OBERLANDER, FREEMAN, DeWEESE, GOODMAN, SIPTROTH, KULA, M. O'BRIEN, MICOZZIE, KOTIK, HAHN, KIRKLAND, MANN, DELOZIER, GEORGE, BEYER, SONNEY, HELM, WATSON, M. KELLER, HICKERNELL, STERN, FAIRCHILD, VEREB, YOUNGBLOOD, GRELL, ROEBUCK, MUSTIO, COHEN, WHITE, DEASY, PHILLIPS, DeLUCA, MARSHALL, TRUE, MOUL AND REESE, SEPTEMBER 28, 2010

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, SEPTEMBER 28, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Designating the month of October 2010 as "Pennsylvania Fire

Prevention Month," observing the week of October 3 through 9,

2010, as "National Fire Prevention Week" and urging

Pennsylvanians to follow all safety measures to prevent

fires, including making sure to install smoke alarms in

required places in their homes.

WHEREAS, Fires exist as a serious safety concern, both

locally and nationally; and

WHEREAS, People face the greatest risk of fire in their

homes; and

WHEREAS, Each year, nearly 3,000 people die in house fires in

the United States, according to the National Fire Protection

Association (NFPA); and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania firefighters and other first responders

have dedicated their services to prevent the damage,

destruction, pain and trauma that fires cause families and

communities through efforts to educate everyone on how to stop

fires from starting and what protections to follow in case one

does strike; and

WHEREAS, The NFPA picked the theme of "Smoke Alarms: A Sound

You Can Live With" for the 2010 National Fire Prevention Week to

educate people about the importance of smoke alarms and to

encourage everyone to take necessary steps to update and

maintain their home smoke alarm protection; and

WHEREAS, Efforts to promote the theme provide an ideal

opportunity to educate the public about smoke alarm

recommendations and serve as a powerful tool for motivating

people to install smoke alarms, as needed, and to make sure

they're working and tested properly; and

WHEREAS, The NFPA reported the following information on its

Internet website, www.firepreventionweek.org, regarding the

importance and use of smoke alarms:

(1)  Smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a reported

fire in half.

(2)  Ninety-six percent of homes have at least one smoke

alarm, according to a 2008 telephone survey.

(3)  Overall, 75% of all United States homes have at

least one working smoke alarm.

(4)  No smoke alarms were present in 40% of the home fire

deaths.

(5)  In 23% of the home fire deaths, smoke alarms were

present but did not sound.

(6)  In more than half of the reported home fires in

which smoke alarms were present, but did not operate even

though the fire was large enough, batteries were missing or

disconnected.

(7)  Nuisance alarms were the leading reason for

disconnecting alarms.

(8)  More than half of the smoke alarms found in reported

fires and two-thirds of the alarms found in homes with fire

deaths were powered by battery only.

(9)  Most homes still have smoke alarms powered by

battery only according to a 2007 American Housing Survey.

(10)  In a 2008 telephone survey, only 12% knew that

smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.

(11)  In fires considered large enough to activate a

smoke alarm, hard-wired alarms operated 91% of the time while

battery-powered smoke alarms operated 75% of the time.

(12)  Interconnected smoke alarms on all floors increase

safety.

(13)  In a United States Consumer Product Safety

Commission (CPSC) survey of households with any fires,

interconnected smoke alarms were more likely to operate and

alert occupants to a fire, including fires in which the fire

department was not called;

therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the

month of October 2010 as "Pennsylvania Fire Prevention Month"

and observe the week of October 3 through 9, 2010, as "National

Fire Prevention Week" with the theme for each being "Smoke

Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend all

firefighters, other first responders and those who provide

support to them for all their efforts to prevent, fight and stop

fires; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all

residents, landlords, businesses and other property owners to:

(1)  Ensure all smoke alarms work properly in their

buildings.

(2)  Change the batteries in the smoke alarms at least

every six months and replace smoke alarms at least every ten

years.

(3)  Install interconnected smoke alarms as much as

possible.

(4)  Ensure that families develop, practice and follow a

home fire escape plan.

(5)  Visit the Fire Prevention Week website,

www.firepreventionweek.org, for more fire safety tips.

(6)  Heed the important fire safety messages and support

the many public safety activities and efforts of

Pennsylvania's fire and emergency responders.