Arson Awareness Week

This week - May 2-8 is Arson Awareness Week. The theme for this year is Community Arson Prevention. Arson robs communities of their valuable assets - lives and property. Arson destroys more than buildings: it can devastate a community through increased insurance premiums, loss of business revenue, and a decrease in property values. Here are some tips to prevent arson and its consequences:

• Be alert to any suspicious activity in your neighborhood, especially around vacant buildings, and call 911 to report them;
• If you see any open windows or doors on vacant buildings, call the city of St. Paul at 651.266.8989;
• Keep your trash containers in your garage and lock your garage.
• Make certain you have working smoke detectors inside - and outside of each bedroom and on each level of your home. Test them monthly;
• Have at least 2 ways out of any room used for sleeping. Have a fire escape plan for your family, and practice it!!

Submitted by the St. Paul Fire Marshal