COLUMBUS – With National Arson Awareness Week underway May 1-7, State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon stresses it’s important to always maintain a safe environment to protect your home against arson, no matter where you live.

“Arson destroys more than buildings,” Reardon said. “It can devastate a community resulting in the decline of the neighborhood through increased insurance premiums, loss of business revenue, and a decrease in property values.”

Ohioans are urged to incorporate the following safety guidelines and recommendations to decrease the opportunities for arson in their communities:

• Illuminate exterior areas and entrances: Install lights covering all sides of the house.
• Trim or remove shrubbery that blocks the view of the house from the street.
• Install smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system.
• Secure abandoned and vacant homes, which are potential arson targets.
• Keep doors and windows locked: All external doors should be equipped with dead bolts. A simple locked door could be the deterrent that saves a house from arson.
• Clear excess vegetation and piles of leaves, and remove trash or partial cans of paint and other materials that could become kindling and fuel a fire for an arsonist.

If you see something, say something: Report suspicious activity or if you suspect that an arson crime has been committed, contact your local fire or police department. If you suspect a child is setting fires, notify the proper authorities. Keep matches and lighters out of reach and out of sight of young children.

Arson fires are preventable through education and awareness, additional resources are available at the State Fire Marshal’s website: com.ohio.gov/fire.