HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Every 86 seconds a home fire is reported in the U.S. and 33 percent of fires are started by children ages 6-9.* In Syracuse, the fire department has responded to 168 fires this year and to 231 fires in 2015.
To help educate children in Syracuse about the importance of fire prevention and safety, The Hartford is partnering with the school district and fire department to bring the company’s Junior Fire Marshal program to the city.
“Teaching our young people about fire prevention is about saving lives for years to come and the Syracuse Fire Department takes that responsibility very seriously,” said Syracuse Mayor Stephanie A. Miner. “I thank The Hartford for their support in our continued efforts.”
The Hartford will grant $10,000 each to the Syracuse Fire Department and the Syracuse Public School District to support ongoing fire safety education.
“We are thankful to The Hartford for bringing their Junior Fire Marshal program to Syracuse to help raise awareness on the importance of fire prevention,” said Sen. David J. Valesky. “Their commitment and generosity to this community will help ensure our children will have the resources needed to learn how to stay safe in the event of a fire.”
As part of the program, the company will also be providing a Junior Fire Marshal kit to every kindergarten through third-grade classroom in the Syracuse Public School system. The classroom kit comes with 30 of The Hartford’s signature fire red helmets, an educator and parent guide and coloring posters designed to introduce fire safety concepts.
The educator’s guide includes fire prevention tips for the most common causes of fires including candles, cooking, matches and lighters and heating. In Syracuse, cooking and heating are the leading causes of home fires according to The Hartford’s claims data. Thirty-three percent of Syracuse fires were caused by cooking and 33 percent by heating.** As part of the fire safety curriculum, teachers have the opportunity to get students involved with demonstrations, activities, and creating a family escape plan.
“We are very excited to be partnering with The Hartford’s Junior Fire Marshal Program and the Syracuse Fire Department on this very important issue of fire prevention and safety,” said Jaime Alicea, Interim Superintendent of the Syracuse School District. “This community has suffered through recent fire related tragedies which underscores the need for children and families to learn these lifesaving lessons.”
The Hartford to Host Junior Fire Marshal Day at the Frazer School
The Hartford is partnering with Frazer School and the Syracuse Fire Department to host a hands-on fire safety day. This includes a simulated fire and smoke demonstration in The Hartford Fire Safety House, an opportunity to meet local firefighters, tour their fire truck and try on gear. The event will take place at Frazer School on Tuesday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. EDT.
“The Junior Fire Marshal Program is part of The Hartford’s ongoing commitment to help build safer communities,” said Debora Raymond, spokesperson for The Hartford’s Junior Fire Marshal program. “We are pleased to be able to bring this program to the city of Syracuse and empower the next generation of children to take an active role in reducing the fire risk in their homes.”
About The Hartford’s Junior Fire Marshal Program
The Hartford’s Junior Fire Marshal program was created in 1947 - to teach fire safety education to kids and keep families safe. The company’s signature red fire helmets have been proudly worn by generations of children who have learned the basics of fire safety through an innovative and educational program. The program teaches lifesaving lessons such as Stop, Drop and Roll; Go Low in Smoke; Draw a Home Fire Escape Plan and more through fun, engaging and educational activities and allows parents and teachers to have meaningful and vital fire safety conversations with children and students. Since the program’s inception, The Hartford has deputized more than 110 million Junior Fire Marshals.
*National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
**Based on an analysis of The Hartford claims data in the city of Syracuse between 2010 and 2015
About The Hartford
The Hartford is a leader in property and casualty insurance, group benefits and mutual funds. With more than 200 years of expertise, The Hartford is widely recognized for its service excellence, sustainability practices, trust and integrity. More information on the company and its financial performance is available at https://www.thehartford.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheHartford_PR.
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG) operates through its subsidiaries under the brand name, The Hartford, and is headquartered in Hartford, Conn. For additional details, please read The Hartford’s legal notice.
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