Whereas, In 2002, 166 Michigan citizens lost their lives as a result of fire, and hundreds more were injured; and,

Whereas, 87 percent of the 2002 Michigan fire deaths occurred in residential locations; and,

Whereas, By having properly located and maintained smoke alarms on every level of your home, and a home escape plan that is practiced with the entire family, you can reduce your chances of dying in a home fire by one-half; and,

Whereas, Fire Prevention Week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which killed 250 people, left 100,000 people homeless, and destroyed more than 17,400 buildings; and,

Whereas, The Michigan fire service is committed to reducing fire deaths, injuries and property losses through the education of our citizens in fire prevention practices; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim the week of October 5, 2003, as Fire Prevention Week in Michigan and I call upon all citizens to remember the Fire Prevention Week 2003 caution, “When Fire Strikes: Get Out! Stay Out!, and I urge all residents to install and test smoke alarms, and plan and practice fire safety drills.