News Flash

During its regular session on Sept. 19, the Liberty Lake City Council approved a proclamation declaring Oct. 8-14 as Fire Prevention Week in the city of Liberty Lake.  The Spokane Valley Fire Department reports that Fire Prevention Week creates an annual opportunity for communities to focus attention on a specific fire prevention message.  The focus for the 2023 Fire Prevention Week is on halting cooking fires and injuries while cooking -- the most common cause of fires in homes.

Below is the wording from the Liberty Lake City Council's recent proclamation:

Whereas, the city of Liberty Lake, Washington, is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in and visiting Liberty Lake; and 

Whereas, fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally, and homes are the locations where people are at greatest risk from fire; and 

Whereas, home fires killed more than 2,800 people in the United States in 2021, according to the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®), and fire departments in the United States responded to 338,000 home fires; and 

Whereas, cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States and fire departments responded to more than 166,400 annually between 2016 and 2020; and 

Whereas, two of every five home fires start in the kitchen with 31% of these fires resulting from unattended cooking; and 

Whereas, more than half of reported non-fatal home cooking fire injuries occurred when the victims tried to fight the fire themselves; and 

Whereas, children under five face a higher risk of non-fire burns associated with cooking than being burned in a cooking fire; and 

Whereas, Liberty Lake residents should turn pot handles toward the back of the stove; always keep a lid nearby when cooking; keep a three-foot kid-free zone around the stove, oven, and other things that could get hot; watch what they heat; and set a timer to remind them that they are cooking; and 

Whereas, Liberty Lake residents who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are more prepared and will therefore be more likely to survive a fire; and 

Whereas, working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires almost in half; and 

Whereas, Liberty Lake first responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education; and 

Whereas, Liberty Lake residents are responsive to public education measures and are able to take personal steps to increase their safety from fire, especially in their homes; and 

Whereas, the 2023 Fire Prevention Week TM theme, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention TM,” effectively serves to remind us to stay alert and use caution when cooking to reduce the risk of kitchen fires. 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That the week of October 8-14, 2023, be designated as Fire Prevention Week throughout this city, and I urge all the people of Liberty Lake to check their kitchens for fire hazards and use safe cooking practices during Fire Prevention Week 2023, and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of the Spokane Valley Fire Department, serving the residents of Liberty Lake. 

Dated this 5th day of October, 2023. 

Cris Kaminskas, Mayor