Wednesday, October 11, 2006 · Page 9 Fire Prevention Week Oct. 8-14 Prevent cooking fires, watch what you heat BY CHIEF ED PILLON SPECIAL TO THE FREE PRESS Cooking equipment is ranked as the number one cause of preventable home fires in Ontario.The average number of cooking related fires per year between 2000 and 2004 was 1,492. This number is 31 percent less than the average number of cooking related fires per year between 1995 and 1999. Cooking fires rank first in the number of injuries and second in the number of fire fatalities. Many fires that occur in the kitchen result in major property damage. Some are less destructive and are never reported to the fire service. The frequent occurrence of cooking fires supports the need and importance of emphasizing safe cooking practices. This year's Fire Prevention Week theme is "Prevent Cooking Fires Watch What You Heat". This theme is timely and ties in quite nicely with several activities and programs that the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council have been working on during the past two years. In 2004, the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council established the Stovetop Fires Working Group. This multi-stakeholder working group continues to research and exchange information on current and developing technology that may help to mitigate and even prevent altogether serious stovetop fires.The committee assisted in the development of the Stovetop Fire Survey, which was conducted for a one-year period, from August 2005 to July 2006. A subcommittee was created to find public education opportunities and to FOR THE CAUSE DPM Insurance employees Cindy Barnett, Kim Ranni, Bev Bunn, Krystal Schuchard, Kyle Barnett, Cindy Stiers and Brenda Clarke stand in front of their office on Talbot Street after donating $550 to the Breast Cancer Society of Canada Oct. 6. DPM Insurance will be matching the employees' efforts for a total donation of $1,100. The cash will be used for breast cancer research. YARD SALE With Thousands of Items on Sale! The Essex Athletic Association Presents: Where? In front of Essex High School When? Saturday, October 14th What Time? 9:00 am to 5:00 pm BBQ with Hot Dogs and Hamburgers, Pop and Chips develop effective public education resources.The subcommittee will review the results of the survey to determine which educational messages and tools need to be developed for the fire service and the public to promote safe cooking practices. Essex Fire and Rescue Service would like to remind every one to never leave cooking unattended and not to cook under the influence of alcohol. Also, remember to wear tight fitting sleeves when cooking. If you get burned, run cool water over it. Get here early! We'll see you there! (3 winners in total will choose a prize) $100 Gift $5000 Certificates towards a $5000 $5000 (10,000 gift certificates new Bathroom towards towards a for Home Installs). new kitchen n e w F l o o r i n g Use at Essex Home Hardware. · CONTEST RULES · For your chance to qualify complete and return this form to Essex Home Hardware by October 18th. BEFORE Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phone: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Essex County Resident? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bathroom Renovation Entry Forms In Store. Kitchen Renovation Complete By October 18th. Flooring Renovation Contest Rules Available In Store. AFTER THE "$25,000 UGLIEST ROOM RENOVATION CONTEST" Brought to you by building centre Centura, Cutler, NHB, Eurostream, Can Save, Counter Effects, B & F, Dayton Vanities, Moen, Kindred, AFA, Goodfellows, Mr. Marble 100 finalists chosen October 19th. Only those who submit 1 to 3 4x6 photos by October 24th qualify for the three grand prizes. 47 WILSON AVENUE, ESSEX · (519) 776-4646