The Hammonton Fire Department Annual Fire Prevention Open House

The Hammonton Fire Department will hold its annual Fire Prevention Week open house at 7 p.m. Friday at Fire Company No. 1 on Front Street.

The free event, which will run until 9 p.m., will feature demonstrations, fire safety handouts, complimentary refreshments and more.

The theme for the 2008 National Fire Prevention Week is "Prevent Home Fires."

"As winter months and holidays get closer, the rates of fire and fire deaths increase. Take a little time to ensure that you and your family do not have to suffer the effects of a fire in your home," said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade. "Each of us would benefit from checking our own homes for fire hazards and making sure that everyone in the residence knows what to do in case of fire."

Each year, fire departments respond to more than 400,000 residential fires.

More than 3,500 people die from fire in their own homes each year.

In many cases, some simple steps may have prevented the fire.

The most common causes of home fires result from cooking, heating, electrical malfunction, smoking materials and candles. Each of these activities carries a risk of fire, but that risk can be greatly lessened if you follow some common-sense safety tips:

Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking. Many fires start from unattended cooking.

Maintain heating equipment and chimneys. Have them inspected and cleaned annually by a qualified professional.

If you smoke, put it out -- all the way -- every time

Keep things that can burn away from light bulbs, light fixtures and lamps. If you suspect you have an electrical problem, call a qualified electrician.

Use flashlights during emergencies, not candles. If you use candles, blow them out when you leave the room. Keep them away from things that can burn.