News

Area Students Receive Fire Prevention Awards
Sunday, November 16, 2014

On November 16, 2014 The Laurel Fire Department hosted its annual Fire Prevention Awards Ceremony. This year’s theme was “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month!” Students and teachers from various local schools were in attendance for the program. Plaques and prizes were awarded to students who were selected. Congratulations to all the winners!! Facts about house fires: •In 2011, U.S. fire departments responded to 370,000 home structure fires. These fires caused 13,910 civilian injuries, 2,520 civilian deaths, $6.9 billion in direct damage. •On average, seven people died in U.S. home fires per day from 2007 to 2011. •Cooking is the leading cause home fires and home fire injuries, followed heating equipment. •Smoking is a leading cause of civilian home fire deaths. •Most fatal fires kill one or two people. In 2012, 8 home fires killed five or more people resulting in a total of 44 deaths. •Almost three of five (60%) of reported home fire deaths in 2007 to 2011 resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.