A national publicity campaign aimed at preventing fires from breaking out in households officially started on April 26 in Beijing.
Official statistics showed that in 1999, 22,000 fires broke out in homes, causing 673 deaths, 945 injuries and a total property loss of 110 million yuan (about 13 million U.S. dollars). The lack of fire-prevention awareness and that of common knowledge of electric appliances is believed to be the major reasons for fires at home.
During the campaign, fire-prevention and fire-extinguishing exercises will be organized in communities across the country. Television and radio stations will also put on programs to enhance the fire-prevention awareness and skills of families. In the meantime, the Ministry of Public Security and a national insurance company have also printed pamphlets to be sent free to households.
