[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1827-E1828]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  REDUCE INCIDENCE OF HOUSEHOLD FIRES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. CURT WELDON

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, September 28, 1996

  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, we are continually bombarded 
by news of disasters in our country. But unfortunately, the disaster 
that befalls more than 400,000 families each year is fire. While the 
number of household fires has been reduced, these fires continue to 
cause more than $4 billion in damage. According to the National Fire 
Protection Association, the most frequent cause of household fires is 
something that seems so simple--careless cooking.
  Recognizing this situation exists, the Association of Home Appliance 
Manufacturers, representing the producers of kitchen ranges and ovens, 
has stepped forward to create awareness of this issue and focus 
educational efforts toward reducing the incidence of these needless 
fires.
  The home appliance manufacturers joined with the National Association 
of State Fire Marshals and conducted an intense survey of careless 
cooking fires in 10 major jurisdictions in the United States. The 
survey results tell us some interesting things about careless cooking 
fires.
  First, in nearly \3/4\ of fires, the person responsible for the 
cooking was not in the area at the time the fire broke out. Unattended 
cooking has long been the single greatest cause of these fires.
  Second, in nearly \2/3\ of the fires, the person left the area rather 
than fight the fire. But in those cases where someone stayed to try and 
deal with it, nearly half used incorrect methods to do so, often 
increasing their risk of injury and damage to the home.
  Third, half of the people responsible for careless cooking fires were 
between the ages of 30 and 49, not the very old or very young. This 
number is far larger than the population represented by this age group.
  Fourth, consistent with other studies of inner city and disadvantaged 
populations, a disproportionately high number of careless cooking fires 
seem to have occurred in minority households. Minority populations 
appear to be at particular risk for fire and should receive special 
attention in any education effort.
  Using this study, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers and 
several other public safety groups, fire departments, and the U.S. Fire 
Administration are working together to help change the basic behavior. 
Special projects made possible by the appliance manufacturers are 
underway. For example, nearly

[[Page E1828]]

10 million special teaching brochures are being distributed this year. 
This includes the manufacturers inserting one in every new range as 
well as several million being distributed by school teachers, fire 
educators, and public service groups. In addition, a teaching video is 
being developed for fire educators. Finally, public service 
announcements and video news releases have been prepared and special 
educational grants have been made to fire educators to try new avenues 
to reach and educate the public.
  The most important messages are rather simple. Stay focused on your 
cooking. If you have to leave the kitchen, turn off the range. If you 
have a fire, get the family out of the house and call 911 or the 
emergency service number.
  I commend the appliance manufacturers on this program urge public 
service groups and all fire departments across the country to join 
together to fight careless cooking fires. Together we can reduce the 
numbers of these fires and the effects of such a disaster on our 
citizens.

                          ____________________