ATLANTA, Sep 30, 2003 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Fire departments across the United States each year respond to more than 500,000 home fires that result in billions of dollars in property damage and hundreds of deaths, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Council. In support of National Fire Safety Month in October, The Home Depot has designated Oct. 4 as Fire Safety Awareness Day at all stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.

The special in-store event will take place Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at all Home Depot locations and is designed to educate customers of all ages about fire safety and home fire prevention.

Local fire and emergency personnel will be on hand and free workshops will offer tips and showcase affordable products to keep the home and family safe from fire and fire-related accidents. Additionally, safety programs for children include a Fire Safety Scavenger Hunt, a Child Photo ID program and a special Kids Workshop where children can build a wooden fire truck (while supplies last).

"Most home fires can be prevented by taking a few simple precautions," said Richard Dale, Home Depot's global product merchant for home safety and security products. "National Fire Safety Month serves as a reminder of the importance of fire prevention in the home. These events are part of our on-going commitment to provide fire-safety education and home fire prevention information to our customers."

Manufacturers are responding to the growing demand for fire-prevention aids with "smart" products that are designed to prevent fires from starting, such as the new Fire Shield(R) Extension Cord -- a one-of-a-kind cord that senses dangerous electrical conditions and instantly disconnects power at the source.

Fire Shield(R) is the world's only extension cord with built-in intelligence to prevent cord fires and provide ground fault protection. The Fire Shield(R) Extension Cord continuously monitors the flow of current and instantaneously (within 25/1000ths of a second) disconnects power when damage occurs. Technology Research Corporation (TRC), located in Clearwater, Fla., has developed and patented the Fire Shield(R) extension cord, which retails for $7.97 at Home Depot.

"Extension cords are a leading cause of domestic fires. Worn, frayed or improperly used cords are a hazard in the home," said Rick O'Neal, vice president, Fire Shield marketing and sales. "The Fire Shield extension cord has built-in technology that senses damage to the cord and actually stops the flow of electricity before a fire can start."

Along with the Fire Shield(R) Extension cord, information on fire extinguishers, smoke and entry alarms, security lighting and other home safety-related items will be available as part of the Fire Safety Awareness Day. Complimentary, simple-to-use checklists on the topics of Fire Safety, Home Security, Child Safety and Grill Safety will be available at all Home Depot stores and via www.homedepot.com . Additional fire safety topics and products that will be featured during the events include:

-- Double your chance of survival in a fire
Smoke alarms double the chances of survival in the event of a fire.
Carbon monoxide detectors give a warning that this deadly, odorless gas
is present. ADT smoke detectors and Kidde CO Alarms provide reliable
home safety that is affordable and simple to install.

-- Combat fires in your home
You have just two minutes to escape a fire in your home. A fire
extinguisher is recommended for every 600 square feet of living space.
Kidde Multi-Purpose Home Fire Extinguishers are a safe way to combat fires
within the home.

About The Home Depot

Founded in 1978, The Home Depot(R) is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer and the second largest retailer in the United States, with fiscal 2002 sales of $58.2 billion. The company employs approximately 315,000 associates and has 1,622 stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, eight Canadian provinces, and Mexico. Its stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Standard & Poor's 500 Index.

SOURCE The Home Depot

Jen King of The Home Depot, +1-770-384-4390, or
jennifer_king@homedepot.com, and Nicole Quinlan of Ketchum, +1-404-879-9280,
or nicole.quinlan@ketchum.com 
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