State Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin and the N.C. Office of State Fire Marshal are joining a public push to keep children safe from fires.

A national report released Feb. 14 shows that young children are especially vulnerable to, and at a growing risk of, death or injury in a fire. According to the most recent data available, more than half of all child fire deaths in 2007 occurred in children under the age of 5, a slight increase over previous years.

"We need to take action to prevent fires in our homes and protect our families, especially the young children who rely on us in an emergency," said Goodwin, who also serves as the state fire marshal. "Fire safety and prevention are particularly important in the winter months, when we typically see a spike in residential fires as people heat their homes to stay warm."

Goodwin encourages North Carolinians to visit http://www.ready.gov/kidsfiresafety, a new online fire safety resource created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Commission on Children and Disasters. The website includes heating, cooking and other fire safety tips for the whole family, with a focus on protecting and educating children.

"Many fire deaths and injuries are preventable," Goodwin added. "Following simple safety practices and having a home fire escape plan can help you avoid a tragedy in your home."

For more information from the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal, visit www.ncdoi.com/osfm.