CADC Stats for Accidental Death Rates

I have included this chart from the center for disease control to put in perspective causal factors for accidental deaths in Missouri for 2006. As the City of Washington begins the process of pondering whether or not we should make fire sprinkler systems mandatory, it is interesting to note the probability of perishing  in a fire as it relates to other causes of accidental death. From the chart below, it is painfully obvious where the lion's share of our attention should be focused - motor vehicle related deaths.

It is reasonable to  consider just how far we are willing to push the "in the name of safety" argument. At what point does government begin to cross the line into a nanny state, removing all choice and self determination from the citizen. 

I would be willing to match Washington Missouri's Fire Department up against any in the nation. Our response times are well below national averages, sometimes below 2 minutes. We have equipped our firemen with some of the best equipment money can buy, managed and led by exemplary firemen. 

And as the storm begins to brew on the horizon to make residential fire sprinklers mandatory by code, I would hope that we allow people and not government to make the decision of whether or not to install these systems in new and refurbished structures. 

And while a very few have chosen to criticize the  City Council on our decision to reject a mandatory sprinkle code, there is absolutely nothing keeping any person from installing such a system in their structure.

The reality is no one can provide for your absolute safety. At some point, the individual must be responsible for his or her own safety - not a nanny state.