[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 41 (Monday, October 16, 1995)]
[Pages 1793-1794]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6838--Fire Prevention Week, 1995

October 7, 1995

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Since 1925, Americans have paused every October to consider the 
importance of learning how to prevent fires. By observing Fire 
Prevention Week, our Nation comes together to remember those lost 
tragically in fire-related incidents, to recognize the terrible damage 
that fire has caused over the years, and to renew our efforts to learn 
more about the ways in which we can protect ourselves from fire's 
devastation.
    Some 4,000 people in the United States die from fire each year--a 
number that can be reduced dramatically through prevention measures. 
Fires in the home take the biggest toll, with 80 percent of fatalities 
occurring just where we often feel the safest. Recognizing that cooking 
and heating equipment cause the majority of home fires, the National 
Fire Protection Association has selected ``Watch What You Heat: Prevent 
Home Fires'' as the Fire Prevention Week theme for 1995, joining with 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency's U.S. Fire Administration to 
communicate this lifesaving message.
    This year's safety campaign teaches essential prevention 
techniques--the necessity of staying in the kitchen while cooking and 
never leaving a lighted stove unattended; of closely supervising all 
heating equipment, such as portable and space heaters; and of monitoring 
all appliances and smoking materials. Most important, no matter how 
careful we are, we must always be prepared by maintaining working smoke 
detectors throughout our homes.

[[Page 1794]]

    As we strive to make fire prevention a priority in every American 
community, we also celebrate the dedication of our Nation's fire and 
emergency workers--champions of fire safety at the local level. Too 
often, these brave men and women pay the ultimate price for their 
faithful service. Last year alone, 100 firefighters died in the line of 
duty, and more than 95,400 were injured. On Sunday, October 15, 1995, we 
will pay our respects to these heroic individuals at the 14th annual 
National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service at the National Emergency 
Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland. To honor their courageous work, 
let us rededicate ourselves to building a better, safer world for the 
generations to come.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the 
Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 8 
through October 14, 1995, as Fire Prevention Week. I encourage the 
people of the United States to plan and actively participate in fire 
prevention activities this week and throughout the year. I also call 
upon every citizen to pay tribute to firefighters who have lost their 
lives in the line of duty and to those men and women who carry on the 
noble tradition of service in our communities.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of 
October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-five, and 
of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
twentieth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 3 p.m., October 11, 
1995]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on October 9, and it was published in the Federal Register on 
October 13.