Papa Gino's and Nearly 115 New England Fire Stations Team Up To Educate Families on Fire Prevention.

Business Editors

DEDHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 8, 2001

Fire Stations to hold Open Houses throughout October to Kick off

National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 7-13

For the past eight years, Papa Gino's, Inc., the Dedham, Mass.-based pizza chain, and New England fire departments have teamed up to promote fire prevention and safety awareness. This year, nearly 115 Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island fire departments will host Fire Prevention Open Houses to educate families on the importance of fire prevention.

"National Fire Prevention Week" is officially sponsored by the international non-profit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) of Quincy, Mass. This year's theme, "Cover the Bases and Strike Out Fire" stresses the importance of fire prevention by using our nation's favorite pastime, baseball. The NFPA targets three common dangers of spontaneous fire outbreaks, kitchen, heating instruments and electrical hazards. The campaign includes a series of educational materials, as well as an Internet baseball game, geared toward teaching school children fire prevention practices.

At the open houses, families will be treated to a number of fire safety demonstrations and free Papa Gino's pizza. The goal of the event is to provide families with the opportunity to teach their children the importance of fire prevention and safety. Children will receive fire prevention activity sheets and will be asked to fill out a fire evacuation plan with their families. As part of this community relations program, Papa Gino's will provide more than 10,000 pizzas and 150,000 children's fire safety coloring sheets and fire hats to local fire stations during the month of October.

"We continue to support New England fire departments in their quest to educate families on fire prevention and safety," said Tom Galligan, Papa Gino's President and CEO. "These open houses have the potential to prevent fires, and we commend those fire stations who donate their time to educate the general public."

According to the NFPA, cooking, heating and electrical fires are among the nation's leading causes of home fires, accounting for an annual average of nearly 50 percent of home fires and almost one-third of associated fire deaths. Parents and kids are encouraged to complete home fire safety inspections together, putting the campaign's messages into practice. Home fire safety checklists, which can help families conduct a thorough inspection, are available at your local fire department and on the official Fire Prevention Week Web site at www.firepreventionweek.org.

According to the NFPA:

 -- There are approximately 91,700 reported home fires each year associated with cooking equipment, killing 327 people and injuring 4,607 - the number-one cause of home fires and home fire injuries.  -- On average, there are 59,100 reported home fires each year associated with heating equipment, killing 468 people and injuring 1,592 - the second leading cause of home fires.  -- Electrical problems with wiring, switches, outlets, cords and plugs account for approximately 38,400 home fires annually, killing 352 people and injuring 1,343 annually. 

Papa Gino's is the leading New England quick service Italian restaurant chain with 172 locations. Papa Gino's offers a casual family dining atmosphere and has provided New England residents with high-quality Italian food for more 40 years.