Fire Prevention Week, 1995

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 6838 of October 7, 1995

Fire Prevention Week, 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.

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.