Fire season will soon be upon us. Help us reduce the risk of fire injury, or loss of life, by following these simple fire safety tips.

Review our Fire Safety Tips

Before a Fire

Practice prevention by doing the following: Stay informed by checking local news (TV & Radio) sources for local weather conditions and fire danger conditions. Clear flammable material to create a minimum 30-foot perimeter around structures. Trim tree limbs away from structure and prune low hanging branches atleast 8 feet off the ground. Avoid using power-operated, spark-producing equipment during the heat of the day. Collect all valuables, important documentation, keys, medications, pets, photos etc.

During a Fire

If a wildfire is approaching your area: Constantly monitor local news for fire and evacuation information. If evacuation is ordered by Fire or Police officials, leave at once. Secure your home. Close all windows, doors, vents, and chimney damper. Turn off Air Conditioning unit and leave your lights on. If possible, place ground ladders and garden hose around your home for firefighters to put out small spot fires. Cover up with long sleeve shirts, long cotton pants, shoes and bandana. Wear eye protection: safety googles or wrap-around sunglasses. If you are in a building surrounded by fire: Stay calm and call 911 and give a clear description of where you are. Make sure all air condition units are off, windows and doors are closed. Stay in the opposite end of the building, away from the approaching fire. After the fire has passed, keep calm, get out of the building. It may be on fire and evacuating to a safe place is the most important thing to do. In a vehicle and surrounded by fire: Only drive through the smoke and flames if you see that escape is safe. If it is not safe, stay calm, park the car to the side and leave motor running with head light on. Use your cell phone to call for help. Remember that dialing 911 on a cell phone goes to the California Highway Patrol Dispatch Center. They will need to know your exact location. Stay in the car. Have all windows up, vent closed, and air conditioning turned off. On foot and surrounded by fire: Stay calm, Look for an escape route. Do Not Attempt to outrun the fire up hill. Moving laterally, or flanking the approaching fire is the best method for escape. Continue the escape until you reach a road, stream, or other manmade, or natural fire break. As a last resort, reenter the burned area and continue away from the main body of fire. Stay away from large overgrown trees, brush piles, boulders and cliffs. Decide wheather to run or seek shelter. Should you decide to seek shelter, get into a building, vehicle, or body of water you can stand in. If escape route is found, move in that direction as quickly as possible and Do Not reenter the fire area for any reason.