FEMA: arson prevention tips
From our weekly issue dated May 05, 2010
National Arson Awareness Week runs through Saturday, May 8, and this year“s theme is Community Arson Prevention.
According to FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger, the goal is to focus attention on the horrific crime of arson, and provide communities tools and strategies to combat arson in their neighborhoods, businesses, schools and places of worship.
“Arson robs communities of their most valuable assets — lives and property,“ said Hunsinger. “Fighting arson effectively takes the entire community. Firefighters across the country do the very best they can, but they can“t do it alone.“
Steps that can reduce incidents of arson include:
- Contact your fire or police department if you know or suspect an arson crime.
- Report suspicious activity near houses or other buildings. Support Neighborhood Watch programs.
- Keep leaves and flammable debris away from buildings. Don“t make it easy for an arsonist to start a fire or facilitate a fire“s spread to adjacent buildings.
- Keep matches and lighters out of reach of small children.
The FBI“s 2008 Uniform Crime Reporting statistics showed that 14,011 law enforcement agencies reported 62,807 arsons. Arsons involving structures (residential, storage, public, etc.) accounted for 43.4 percent of the total number of arson offenses. Mobile property (cars, motorcycles, etc.) was involved in 28.9 percent of arsons, and other types of property (such as crops, timber, fences, etc.) accounted for 27.7 percent of reported arsons.
For more information, including a media kit for the 2010 Arson Awareness Week campaign, visit www.usfa.dhs.gov.
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