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Mail your Letter to Santa

Mail your Letter to Santa at any SCPFD Fire Station

Mail Your Letter to Santa

Mail your letter to Santa at any SCPFD Fire Station

New Day Church Christmas Festival

Christmas Tree Safety

December 16, 2022 Jennifer Bossi | Fire and Life Safety

As you deck the halls this holiday season, be fire smart. A small fire that spreads to a Christmas tree can grow large very quickly. Take these steps to prevent a fire in your home during the holidays

PICKING THE TREE
Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.

PLACING THE TREE
Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2” from the base of the trunk.
Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.

LIGHTING THE TREE
Use lights that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use.
Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.
Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

After Christmas Get rid of the tree after Christmas or when it is dry. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside against the home.

For more information visit www.nfpa.org/education

Prepare your Disaster Supply Kit Today!

September 23, 2022 Jennifer Bossi | Uncategorized

After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water, and other supplies to last for 7 days. A disaster supply kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.

Make sure your disaster supply kit is stocked with the items on the checklist below. Most of the items are inexpensive and easy to find and any one of them could save your life. Once you take a look at the basic items consider any special needs your family might have, such as supplies for your pets or for seniors in your family.

BASIC DISASTER SUPPLY KIT

To assemble your kit store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

Water (one gallon per person per day, for drinking and sanitation)
Food (a 7 day supply of non-perishable food)
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
Flashlight
First aid kit
Extra batteries
Whistle (to signal for help)
Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
Manual can opener (for food)
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

Since Spring of 2020, the CDC has recommended people include additional items in their kits to help prevent the spread of coronavirus or other viruses and the flu.

Consider adding the following items to your emergency supply kit based on your individual needs:

Face coverings (for everyone ages 2 and above), soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces
Prescriptions medications
Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution
Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream
Pet food and extra water for your pet
Cash or traveler’s checks
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
Fire extinguisher
Matches in a waterproof container
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
Paper and pencil
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

MAINTAINING YOUR KIT

After assembling your kit remember to maintain it so it’s ready when needed:

Keep canned food in a cool, dry place.
Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers.
Replace expired items as needed.
Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.

KIT STORAGE LOCATIONS

Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work and cars.

Home: Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept.
Work: Be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours. Your work kit should include food, water and other necessities like medicines, as well as comfortable walking shoes, stored in a “grab and go” case.
Car: In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car.

Source: ready.gov

Let’s Taco-bout the Peak of Hurricane Season

August 3, 2022 Jennifer Bossi | Uncategorized

Let’s taco-bout being prepared for the peak of hurricane season which occurs between mid-August and late October, when the waters in the equatorial Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico have warmed enough to help support the development of tropical waves. Do you know the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning?

A watch means we have all the ingredients necessary for a hurricane in the next few hours. During a hurricane watch, prepare your home and review your plan for evacuation in case a hurricane or tropical storm warning is issued. Listen closely to instructions from local public safety officials.

A warning means a hurricane is occurring right now! During a hurricane warning, complete storm preparations and immediately leave the threatened area if directed by local public safety officials.

If you haven’t done so already, prepare now for the peak of hurricane season. Don’t taco-a-chance on facing a hurricane unprepared. Stock your disaster supply kit with 7 days of non-perishable food and water for your entire family (don’t forget about your pets), and find your evacuation zone by visiting https://www.leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement/knowyourzone.

Stay Cool, Stay Hydrated, Stay Informed!

July 13, 2022 Jennifer Bossi | Uncategorized

We’ve entered into the dog days of summer and are experiencing triple digit heat index days on a regular basis. During extremely hot and humid weather, your body’s ability to cool itself is challenged. When the body heats too rapidly to cool itself properly, or when too much fluid or salt is lost through dehydration or sweating, body temperature rises and you or someone you care about may experience a heat-related illness. It is important to know the symptoms of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses. Some of these symptoms and steps are listed below.

Heat Cramps
Heat cramps may be the first sign of heat-related illness, and may lead to heat exhaustion or stroke.
Symptoms: Painful muscle cramps and spasms usually in legs and abdomen and Heavy sweating.
First Aid: Apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water unless the person complains of nausea, then stop giving water. Seek immediate medical attention if cramps last longer than 1 hour.

Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms: Heavy sweating, Weakness or tiredness, cool, pale, clammy skin; fast, weak pulse, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headache, fainting,
First Aid: Move person to a cooler environment, preferably a well air conditioned room. Loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths or have person sit in a cool bath. Offer sips of water. If person vomits more than once, Seek immediate medical attention if the person vomits, symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour.

Heat Stroke
Symptoms: Throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, body temperature above 103°F, hot, red, dry or damp skin, rapid and strong pulse, fainting, loss of consciousness.
First Aid: Call 911 or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Delay can be fatal. Move the victim to a cooler, preferably air-conditioned, environment. Reduce body temperature with cool cloths or bath. Use fan if heat index temperatures are below the high 90s. A fan can make you hotter at higher temperatures. Do NOT give fluids. Using a fan to blow air in someone’s direction may actually make them hotter if heat index temperatures are above the 90s.