The Ohio Department of Commerce will feature fire safety and unclaimed funds at the Ohio State Fair from Friday, August 1 through Sunday, August 17 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The display will be located in the northeast corner of the Marketplace Building (formerly the Bricker Building).

"The Commerce display offers something for everyone in the family," said Donna Owens, Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce. "The children can participate in hands-on fire safety programs, while parents can check for unclaimed funds."

The Division of State Fire Marshal will offer children an opportunity to practice the "Crawling Under Smoke" fire safety program. This exercise is designed to teach children that smoke rises and that it is important to get near the floor in order to escape a fire. A mock cloud of smoke has been created to allow children the opportunity to practice this potentially life saving skill by "crawling under smoke."

The Fire Marshal's office will also conduct other demonstrations throughout the fair. These include stop, drop and roll; fire extinguisher use; and Carla and Harvey, two dogs used to help catch arsonists. These demonstrations will be held in the afternoons at "Hayworth's Hangout."

"I also encourage fairgoers to stop by our Division of Unclaimed Funds' 'Treasure Hunt': the sole purpose of which is to return unclaimed money to the rightful owners," said Director Owens.

With the use of computer databases, Commerce employees will check whether fairgoers are entitled to unclaimed funds. Sources of these funds include dormant checking and savings accounts, forgotten rent and utility deposits, uncashed checks, undelivered stock certificates, uncashed insurance policies, forgotten layaway deposits, and safe deposit box contents. Currently, there are approximately 1.7 million accounts totaling almost $170 million. During last year's Fair, the Unclaimed Funds section checked 35,142 names and located a record $410,819 of unclaimed property belonging to Ohioans.

In addition, the Division of Industrial Compliance will have a display focusing on the diversity of their services. Included will be, an exhibit of stuffed toys and other items safety tested by the Division.

More than 46,000 Ohioans visited the Department of Commerce's State Fair display last year.

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The Department of Commerce enforces regulations regarding industrial compliance, fire codes, financial institutions, securities, real estate, auctioneers, and unclaimed funds, among others. The former Department of Liquor Control joined the Department on July 1, 1997 as the Division of Liquor Control.