[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 141 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           LET'S HEAR IT FOR FIRE SAFETY: TEST YOUR DETECTORS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT E. WISE, JR.

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 3, 1996

  Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to Fire Prevention 
Week. This year's Fire Prevention Week theme is ``Let's Hear it for 
Fire Safety: Test Your Detectors.''
  One life lost to fire is a great tragedy. When that tragedy could 
have been prevented, it compounds the loss. Smoke detectors are 
necessary equipment in every home to prevent tragedies from occurring. 
Every home in West Virginia should be equipped with properly installed 
and maintained smoke detectors outside sleeping areas as well as one on 
each level of the house, basement included.
  Statictics show that 13 out of every 14 homes have at least one smoke 
detector, but far too many are not working. I am trying to raise that 
statistic in West Virginia to 100 percent. With the assistance of the 
Berkeley County Office of Emergency Services and State Farm Insurance, 
I have made a fire prevention video which teaches children how smoke 
detectors operate and how to maintain them. This video is distributed 
to every elementary school in West Virginia.
  Obtaining a smoke detector can be as easy as contacting the local 
fire department. Many fire departments and local organizations 
participate in free give-aways of smoke detectors.
  Over the past 2 weeks the Congressional Fire Services Institute hand 
delivered to every Member of Congress, a Fire Prevention Week Community 
Awareness Kit, courtesy of the National Fire Protection Association. I 
urge all my colleagues to use the information contained in those kits.

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