SAFETY TIPS

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• Avoid careless smoking, never smoke in bed and always use ashtrays.

• Never store propane bottles in or next to your home

• Avoid storing flammable liquids in your home such as gasoline and cleaning solvents.

• Use caution while deep fat frying and keep a lid near by to cover the hot liquid if it should catches on fire.

• Do not use unsafe electrical appliances.

• Throw away frayed extension cords.

• Keep wood burning stoves clear of soot.

• Keep the roof and sides of your house clear of leaves and debris.

• Check your smoke alarms regularly and replace the battery at the first of each New Year or every time you turn your clocks forwards/backwards.

Smoke Alarms

In the event of a fire, your smoke alarm is the single most important means for saving you or your family’s life and preventing fire fatalities.  By providing an early warning signal, it gives you and your family a chance to escape.

Smoke alarms are one of the best safety features you can buy and install to protect yourself and your family. Make sure the alarms you buy are UL-listed.

Escape Plans

• Make a family fire escape plan using a floor plan of your house or apartment.

• Discuss your plan with your family and have practice fire drills.

• Be sure you are able to follow the plan even in a dark room.

• Plan to have two exits, if possible.

• Have a meeting place outside your home.

If there is a fire

• If you are leaving a room in a burning building, feel the door with the back of your hand. A warm door may mean there is fire on the other side. If it feels hot try another escape route.

• If you should awaken to a smoke filled room, stay low, crawl as low as possible, and exit to your meeting place.

• If your clothing should catch on fire, Stop, Drop, and Roll to smother the fire.

How To Use Fire Extinguisher

Remember the acronym, "P.A.S.S."

P - Pull the Pin.

A - Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the flames.

S - Squeeze trigger while holding the extinguisher upright

S - Sweep the extinguisher from side to side, covering the area of the fire with the extinguishing agent.

REMEMBER:

·        Should your path of escape be threatened

·        Should the extinguisher run out of agent

·        Should the extinguisher prove to be ineffective

·        Should you no longer be able to safely fight the fire

......THEN LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY!

Daytime summer temperatures routinely exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat related injuries could be life-threatening situations. By following the safely rules below, you can have a happy and healthy time in the desert.

• When spending any time in the desert Always inform someone as to:
  • Where you are going.
  • How you are getting there
  • When you will be back
• Carry at least one gallon of water per person per day of your trip.
  • That also pertains to your pets as well. (Plastic gallon jugs are most convenient)
• Never leave your pet in the car even with the windows cracked open.
• Remember cats and dogs don’t sweat so panting and drinking water are their only means of cooling off. Have readily available water and shade.
• Pets don’t wear protective clothing so check their fur, ears, paws and nose for any burrs, thorns, or cactus needles.
• To avoid poisonous creatures, only put your hands or feet where your eyes can see.
• Be sure your vehicle is in good condition:
  • A sound battery
  • Good hoses.
  • Spare tire. With a jack, lug wrench, and the key to any locking lug nuts.
  • Spare fan belts.
  • Tools.
  • Reserve gasoline, oil and extra radiator water. 
• Keep an eye on the sky. Flash floods may occur in a wash any time "Thunderheads" are in sight, even though it may not be raining where you are. 
• If caught in a dust storm while driving
  • Get off the road.
  • Turn off headlights and or floodlights.
  • Turn emergency flashers on.
  • Back into the wind to reduce windshield damage from sand particles. 
• Before driving through washes and sandy areas test the footing first. One minute on foot may save hours of digging or tow truck fees.
• If your vehicle breaks down:
  • Stay near it.
  • Your emergency supplies are here.
  • Your car has many other items useful in emergency.
  • Raise hood and trunk lid to denote "Help needed."
  • A vehicle can be seen for miles, but a person on foot is very difficult to find. 
• Leave a disabled vehicle only if you are positive of the route to help.
• When not moving, use available shade or erect shade from tarps, blankets, seat covers - anything to reduce the direct rays of the sun. 
• Do not sit or lie directly on the ground. The ground can be 30+ degrees more than the surrounding air. 
• Keep clothing on. It helps to keep the body temperature down and reduces the dehydration rate.
• Cover your head. If a hat is not handy, improvise a head covering. 
• If you must walk
  • Rest for at least 10 minutes of each hour.
  • If you are not normally physically active, rest up to 30 minutes out of each hour.
  • Find shade, sit down and prop up feet.
  • Adjust shoes and socks.
  • DO NOT REMOVE SHOES - you may not be able to get them back on swollen feet. 
• If you have water
  • Drink it.
  • Do not ration it. 
• If water is limited
  • Keep your mouth shut.
  • Do not talk.
  • Do not eat.
  • Do not smoke.
  • Do not drink alcohol. 
  • Most of all DO NOT TAKE SALT.
• If stalled or lost set signal fires:
  • Set smoky fires in the daytime.
  • Bright ones for the night.
  • Three fires in a triangle denote "help needed."
• A roadway is a sign of civilization. If you find a road, stay on it.
• If hiking in the desert, equip each person, especially children, with a police-type whistle. It makes a distinctive noise with little effort. Three blasts denote "HELP NEEDED."
• Most of all don’t panic, the desert is a wilderness that can kill so keep your wits about you.