October 18, 2001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2001-69) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org FREE HOME SAFETY INSPECTIONS TO BE OFFERED Beginning immediately Mobile Fire-Rescue Department will resume its free home fire safety inspection program. The home safety inspections will be offered free as a courtesy and participation is voluntary. The inspections will be offered throughout the City of Mobile and it's Public Safety Jurisdiction. It is designed to assist home owners/occupants in recognizing unsafe practices and hopefully prevent a fire and/or fatality from occurring. Anyone wishing to have their home inspected free of charge by the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department should call the departments business office at 208-7351 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The information will then be passed on to the fire station that normally responds in that area and an appointment will be scheduled with the resident between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Firefighters have recently gone through training to conduct these inspections. They will use a simple check list to go through the home and check for possible hazards and a copy will be given to the occupant as well as an explanation of what is wrong and possible ways to correct the problem found. 95% of all fires can be prevented with simple precautions and education. ###