Reps. Cochran, Brown, Crawford, Denby, Durhal, Geiss, Heise, Howrylak, Kowall, Lamonte, LaVoy, Roberts, Santana and Slavens offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 239.

            A resolution to declare October 6-12, 2013, as Fire Prevention Week in the state of Michigan.

            Whereas, The state of Michigan is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in and visiting our state; and

            Whereas, Fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally, and homes are the locations where people are at greatest risk from fire; and

            Whereas, Home fires killed more than 2,500 people in the United States in 2011, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and fire departments in the United States responded to 370,000 home fires; and

            Whereas, Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States where fire departments responded to more than 156,000 annually between 2007 and 2011; and 

            Whereas, Two of every five home fires start in the kitchen; and

            Whereas, Unattended equipment was a factor in one-third of the reported cooking fires; and

            Whereas, Fifty-seven percent of reported non-fatal home cooking fire injuries occurred when the victims tried to fight the fire themselves; and

            Whereas, Children under five face a higher risk of non-fire burns associated with cooking than being burned in a cooking fire; and

            Whereas, Michigan's residents should stay in the kitchen when frying food on the stovetop, keep a three-foot kid-free zone around cooking areas, and keep anything that can catch fire away from stove tops; and

Whereas, Residents who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are more prepared and will therefore be more likely to survive a fire; and

Whereas, Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half; and

Whereas, Michigan's first responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education; and

Whereas, Michigan's residents are responsive to public education measures and are able to take personal steps to increase their safety from fire, especially in their homes; and

Whereas, The 2013 Fire Prevention Week theme, “Prevent Kitchen Fires!” effectively serves to remind us to stay alert and use caution when cooking to reduce the risk of kitchen fires; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare October 6-12, 2013, as Fire Prevention Week in the state of Michigan. We urge all the people of Michigan to check their kitchens for fire hazards and to use safe cooking practices during Fire Prevention Week 2013 and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of Michigan's fire and emergency services.